Michael A. Smith

Born at Saint Joseph Hospital on Easter Sunday 1961, Michael A Smith of Lakebay died from previously undiagnosed cancer Dec. 12, at Saint Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor. He was 62 years old.

Mike attended school in South Tacoma. He managed two newspaper delivery routes while in junior high. He was good at it and made lots of friends.

After earning his GED, he went on to Clover Park Vocational Technical School where he learned the construction trade. Like his grandfather before him, Mike made his living working to build residential houses and commercial office buildings. He took pride in his craftsmanship and was especially proud of the way he could hang a door.

The years in construction took a toll on his body. Between bad hips and a bad back, and a lifelong struggle with his weight, Mike ended up on disability. He spent his last 20 years living with his mother, Alberta Ramsdell, at her home in Lakebay.

Mike loved his sweets and Mom’s homemade fruit cobblers.

He had many close and long friendships. He was very good to his mother. He enjoyed maintaining and mowing a beautiful lawn.

Mike always felt lucky enough to buy lotto tickets now and then, and even won a couple hundred bucks a few times. He was absolutely crazy about NASCAR events and thoroughly enjoyed the sport of car racing. Last but not least, he loved his cat, Kitty.

He leaves behind his mother, Alberta Ramsdell; sister-in-law Robin and their four children; younger brother Jerry and sister-in-law Heather; niece Lexi and nephew Blake; and many others.