Neil Edwin Smith, 71, of Lakeland, FL passed away from complications of Parkinsons on January 1, 2015. He was born

January 4, 1943, in Mt. Vernon, WA to Everett and Beatrice Smith.

After a few moves, his family settled in Sedro, Woolley, WA where he graduated in 1961. Neil was a computer programmer and worked for Boeing and Paccar and retired from Nordstrom IT department October 1, 2003. He was formerly married to Sharon Branum, now deceased, and lived on Vashon Island, WA for 26 years. On June 3, 2000, he remarried and in 2003 retired and relocated to Lakeland, FL.

Neil was an avid hot rodder and was a member of a number of car clubs including Early Irons in Washington and The Drifters in Lakeland, FL. He was also a loyal fan of the University of WA Huskies and one of his greatest thrills was to attend the Rose Bowl in 2001 and watch them win over Purdue.

In retirement he took up the sport of tennis which quickly became his favorite past time. Neil was a quiet man who loved a loud motor, his beloved Huskies, classic rock and roll, but most of all his family. He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered forever. He is survived by his wife Margaret, Maggie, his son Perry (Erin) Smith, his daughter Wendy Smith, three step daughters, Elissa Sego, LuAnn Rimkus, Stephanie (Daniel) Bastille, one

step son David (Yoshi) Rawling, his sister Laura Gail Smith and seven

grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life was held January 5, 2015 in Lakeland, FL. A second Celebration of Life will be held in June of 2015 in Sedro Woolley, WA.

Paid Obituary.