Floyd V. Smith

Jan 24, 1936 -

Nov 20, 2019

Floyd Vernon Smith, Anchorage, Alaska, attorney, loving husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully at Kaiser Hospital in Portland, Ore., on Nov. 20, 2019. He was 83.

Floyd was born on Jan. 24, 1936, in Billings, Mont., the only child of Floyd and Edith (Horne) Smith, who were ranchers in North Dakota and Montana. In 1940, the family relocated to Seattle, Wash., to find work when Floyd was 4 years old. Floyd recounted he was a shy and bookish child who spent his time at the Seattle library, where he developed a deep love of history and literature.

Floyd pursued a history degree in Communist Studies at the University of Washington, graduating in 1957. He then applied and was awarded the U.S. Woodrow Wilson Fellowship which enabled him to attend Columbia University as a history major. During his time at Columbia, Floyd met and courted fellow history major Barbara Sweetland. Floyd subsequently changed his major to Law and transferred to Harvard Law School. He was the first generation of his family to graduate from college and revered the industrious, hard scrabble ranchers he came from.

Floyd and Barbara were married near her parent's home in Milwaukie, Ore., on June 18, 1960. After Floyd's graduation from Harvard Law in 1962, he and Barbara moved to Seattle, where he worked for the District Attorney's office. The couple started their family there, adopting two daughters, Lauren and Allison. In 1970, Floyd and Barbara moved their young family to Anchorage, where Floyd formed a law partnership with Justice Robert C. Erwin. The firm provided legal services to the growing Alaska industries, school districts and churches.

Floyd enjoyed camping, fishing, hiking and exploring Alaska with his family and friends. He and Barbara traveled extensively in Alaska for business and pleasure over the years, savoring Alaska's diverse people, rich cultures and landscapes, from Southeast and Aleutian coastal towns to Barrow and interior bush villages. Floyd and Barbara loved to travel together and especially enjoyed their trips to the U.K. and Europe.

In retirement, Floyd was able to pursue his passion for woodworking and the comradery of his boy gang, the "Altercockers Club," devoting his time to gardening, cooking, travel, volunteering and supporting the arts in Anchorage. Floyd and Barbara were active members of St. Mary's Episcopal Church and passionate supporters of the FISH program for over 30 years, delivering food and other essentials to Anchorage residents in need.

Floyd loved and cared for Barbara until her death in 2013. In 2017, Floyd relocated to Portland, to be closer to family, where he was embraced by his daughter Allison's family during his battle with progressive dementia. During this time, he kept his sense of humor and continued to be a supportive and loving father to his girls.

Floyd was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara, of 53 years, and is survived by his daughters, Lauren Smith of Lawndale, Calif., and Allison Blandini, her husband Richard Blandini and two grandchildren, Raphael Blandini and Elouisa Blandini of Portland. Floyd is also survived by many dear friends who cherished his intellect, wit, charity and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, located at 2222 East Tudor Road in Anchorage, on Saturday, April 25, 2020, at 11 a.m.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to FISH at St. Mary's Episcopal Church or the Humane Society.