Anthony Christopher Smith was known as Tony to most, but to me he was “dad” or “Popper”. I can’t recall why I called him Popper, but it was fitting that he have a unique and silly nickname. He also liked to tell people that his nickname while in the Army was Agent Orange from when he was a spy during the Vietnam War. I heard this joke my whole life and would give a little chuckle with a roll of my eyes. Less than 10 years ago my stepmom Kathie said to me, “you know your dad actually worked in Counterintelligence, right?” I sure did not! My dad was such a jokester that I had no idea any part of this joke had any truth to it at all. But that was one of my favorite things my dad taught me – to laugh as much as you can, particularly when things are hard. I know he would appreciate everyone thinking of the hilarious moments you shared with him right now. 

I always appreciated that my dad was so willing to laugh at himself. When I was younger, I always wanted to go camping with him. We would spend our time fishing, playing chess, making up dances around the campfire and he would spend time carving us forks and spoons because he would forget silverware. It happened enough times that I sometimes wondered if he left them on purpose or as a way to remind me that I should always carry a pocketknife. Either way, it was a great way to spend time with my dad as a kid.  

Another way we spent our time together was going to see family. This man loved being around his family. I have no doubt that his family – from his parents - Frances and Donna, to his siblings - Francie, Jim, Terry, Matt, Larry, Ralph, Sharon and even his cousins were his best friends. We would spend hours driving for visits and he would tell me all sorts of stories involving them. From throwing look alike dolls down stairs to scare his mom, to building a raft to appear to walk on water, to exploring small uninhabited islands off Guam. My dad lived a full life while trying to make everyone around him laugh.  

Growing up with a dad in the Air Force allowed him time living in a lot of different places all around the country and Guam, so I guess it made sense his family were his best friends. After graduating from Maryland University San Diego State where he met my mom and they married, he moved up to the Portland area. He became a police officer for the City of Portland, where he made quite the name for himself. While he and my mom divorced shortly after I was born, he met my bonus mom - Kathleen Charlise Smith while at detox. They met while working but he always thought it was fun to leave it at them having met at detox. While working for the Portland Police, he was the recipient of the Tony Smith award twice! Yes, he had an award named after him, but it was not the type of award most people would be proud to have won. It was more like a klutz award. Regardless, he had a lot of great times with his co-workers, and I am so lucky to have been allowed to go on ride-alongs with him. After 27 years of service, he retired in 2003. 

Tony and Kathie were then able to build their dream house in Ocean Park, Washington where they spent time doing things for their new community. Kathie helped in the foodbank for hours every week while my dad would drive donations from stores to food banks on the peninsula. Their house was often a weekend getaway for Kathie’s son Justin Corthell (with Jeanette, Ivy and Violet), her cousin Liz (and Kelly) and myself with my family (Kevin and Simone). They wouldn’t allow you to close the blinds that faced the ocean “because what’s the point of paying for an Ocean view if you close the blinds”.  

While it hurts my heart that my dad is gone, I’m glad he was able to show Simone his love of joking around. For her birthday one year, he got her a life-sized Halloween decoration of a creepy girl that ripped the head off her teddy bear. Another Halloween he pranked her by pretending to be a trick-or-treater. I’ve never seen her so scared in my life and we still laugh at that prank. It brings me joy when I see her pulling her own little pranks on various family members.  

While laughing is great medicine, my favorite thing my dad ever taught me was to show compassion and be understanding. He always told me that we have no idea what other people are going through and not to judge. One of his greatest examples of this was when I was on a ride along with him. Someone had stolen something from a grocery store. I was younger so I mostly saw things in black and white. This person broke a law. He pointed out that this person was stealing less than $20 of food. That they were likely just trying to survive. While he personally wouldn’t have chosen to press charges, it was within the store’s rights to and he struggled with that. 

While my dad was a big jokester, he really had a heart of gold and taught me a lot. He showed me endless love and was so easy to approach with anything. I always knew he would love me no matter what and would never judge me. I feel that is so rare these days. I am forever grateful that he was my dad. There will be a little less laughter in hour house without you coming over but I know you would prefer us remembering all of the good times and laughing instead of crying.