As Chuck might have said, echoing Yogi Berra, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Charles “Chuck” Smith passed away peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson’s on Sunday, May 17, 2026. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Melinda “Mollie” Smith, daughter Jennifer Smith, son Jeff (Jolene) Smith, step-daughter Jennie Livingston, step-son Greg “Dane” (K.T.) Livingston and step-siblings Kathy Youngberg, Jerry Smith and Sandy Ro- driguez. He was blessed with five grandchildren, Paxson and Atlas Yee Smith, James Rex and Ofelia and Gabriel Livingston. He is preceded in death by his brother Fred Smith, with whom he had many adventures, with an especially memorable trip to Easter Island.

Charles was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, on March 15, 1945, at the close of World War II. He moved with his brother Fred to Eureka, California, as many did during the aftermath of the war. They lived with their Aunt Myrtis during his childhood, and he told great stories about his adventures selling newspapers and collecting coins on the streets and bars of Eureka. One of his favorite stories was believing that Frederick & Charles Beauty College was named after his brother Fred and Chuck himself because it was built on the site of the former apartment they lived in!

Chuck was in the first graduating class of McKinleyville High School in 1963. He was quite proud of his class and helped plan multiple memorable reunions. He excelled in athletics, enjoying football, basketball, wrestling and gymnastics. He was quite proud of his ability to do an iron cross on the rings. He also ran many marathons and the annual Clam Beach run. After high school he and his best friend Dave Silva enlisted in the Army Reserves. They both enjoyed leave and learning to drive and fix landing craft. He later married, worked at PG&E, and earned his teaching credential.

He taught math and science at Winship Junior High School and Zoe Barnum Continuing Education High School, from which he eventually retired. During this time he coached track and field, helping students with any issues, even taking them on their first-ever backpacking trips. Their annual jetboat ride up the Klamath River was the highlight for his students, along with the cupcakes he baked every year for his birthday to share with the kids and staff.

A “jack of all trades” and a self-taught, lifelong learner best described Chuck. During his off time from teaching he worked a variety of jobs, including ATM repair, apartment maintenance and as a general contractor. He could build anything, including his house, neighbor’s decks, additions and remodels. He passed on his love for fixing things to his children and grandchildren.

Even before retirement as a teacher, some of his greatest days were spent traveling. His best advice was to visit the blue highways, the ones less traveled, as Steinbeck chronicled in his book, “Travels with Charley.” His vehicle of choice was his Ford diesel pickup with a cab-over camper, and he drove it skillfully from the Rocky Mountains to the “goat trails” in New Mexico. He also enjoyed camping with his grandchildren in Big Sur and extended trips to farflung relatives in the Midwest and South.

Chuck loved his wife Mollie dearly, and their favorite adventures included camping on the Colorado River and all over Oregon and Washington states, as well as enjoying trips together to Hawaii, Mexico, Spain, France, Jamaica and British Columbia. In recent years he and Mollie spent time playing cribbage and hosting friends for fun at their cabin on the Trinity River.

Chuck was a loving, caring, kind and patient person to everyone he met. He was an amazing dad. He loved his children and enjoyed spending time with them and supported all their dreams. Chuck was blessed with many friends from softball teams, bowling, golf and yoga. Chuck was always willing to lend a hand to anyone and had a knack for bringing people together to have a good time, what Chuck called a “work party.”

The family extends special thanks and appreciation to the Hospice team who helped care for him, especially Nurse Geena and Social Worker Katie. The supportive staff at Sequoia Springs, including Madison, Krista, Janelle, Summer, Olivia, Jada, Melissa, Perlita, Armando, Danielle and Kelly, provided excellent care and a warm environment. Family friends and caregivers Taylor Randall and Ashley Hickey adored Chuck and loved caring for him.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 31, at the Lutheran Church of Arcata, 151 East 16th Street, with a reception to follow at Baywood Golf and Country Club, 3600 Buttermilk Lane, Arcata. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Humboldt, The Humboldt Historical Society or a charity of your choice.