Eddie Eugene Smallwood, a fifty-year resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away on Monday, October 17, 2005 at United General Hospital from complications of diabetes. His family was nearby to ease his passing.
Eddie was born in Bellingham, WA on December 23, 1929, the fourth child of Francis Nova and Calista Nora Vaughn Smallwood.
The family home, known as the ‘Smallwood Ranch,’ was located at Park, WA on the south end of Lake Whatcom. Eddie began his schooling at Park School and when it closed he attended Acme School. He graduated from Mt. Baker High School in Deming in 1949.
Eddie was always a hard worker and became the neighborhood ‘chore-boy’ by making himself available to mow hay, do odd jobs, cut firewood, garden, etc. In late 1949 he began work for the Washington State Game Dept. working at Steilacoom and Ford, WA. In March of 1949 he entered the U.S. Army and achieved the rank of Corporal. He was stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia with the Transportation Corp. Part of his enlisted time was spent aboard ship where he instructed officers in stevedoring and operating cranes. He also trained land units to operate heavy equipment. Eddie received his honorable discharge in March 1953.
After he came home he began work driving truck with the Scott Paper Company at Lester, WA, later transferring to Hamilton working in the woods with the ‘donkey doctor.’ Soon after he began work as a maintenance mechanic and tire man. He worked a total of 37 years for Scott Paper. When Crown Pacific acquired Scott Paper, Eddie began work for them on their construction crew. He worked nearly eight years for Crown until he required heart surgery and decided to retire. During these years he often moonlighted doing tire work for various truck drivers. He operated his own little business, affectionately called ‘Ed’s Tires.’
Eddie was an avid fisherman and hunter who greatly enjoyed the outdoors and the mountains. Although he’d fish anywhere, he particularly enjoyed high country stream and creek fishing and was happiest casting a line into rippling waters. He enjoyed crabbing and clam-digging with his family, especially at midnight by lantern’s light. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Washington State Grange and the Independent Order of Foresters.
Eddie married Vivian Hayward in 1955 and they moved to Sedro-Woolley soon after their marriage. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 24, 2005.
Eddie is survived by his wife, Vivian at the family home. His children, Douglas, Steven, and Larry Smallwood, all of Sedro-Woolley, Susan Lewis of Los Angeles, CA, Lynnea King of Bellingham and Denise Scott Farmer of Day Creek. Ten grandchildren, Joshua, Justin, Nicholas, Mitchell, Daniel, Edward, Sara, Michelle, Zachary and Dominic, and one great-grandson, Riley.
Also surviving him are a sister-in-law, Betty Smallwood of Bellingham; cousins, Preston Smallwood of Montana, George Inman Nelson of Sumner; nieces Anna Christensen of Bellingham, Barbara Roger Thomas of Gig Harbor, Geri Joel Steiner of Shoreline, Bonnie Reinhold Vanderhyde of Tacoma; nephews, Thomas Lee Smallwood of Sedro-Woolley, Thomas Howard Karen Smallwood of Eatonville and several great-nieces and nephews. We also want to mention his good friend and neighbor, Everett Wallace of Sedro-Woolley who provided much companionship throughout his life.
Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, Nova and Calista; his 2 brothers, Francis Lee Smallwood and George Howard Smallwood and his wife, Mildred ‘Big Millie’. His sister, Bonnie Pearle Christensen and her husband, Allen and a niece, Mildred ‘Little Millie’ Garrison.
The family would like to extend a note of gratitude and special thanks to his doctors, nurses and caregivers at United General Hospital for their wonderful care. The family request memorials be made to the Diabetes Association, or a charity of your choice.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2005 at 10:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1122 McGarigle Road, Sedro-Woolley with Elder Bob Morse officiating. Interment services will follow at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in La Conner at 3:30pm. Viewing will be available on Friday, October 21st from 9am to 5 pm at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.