James Donald Smith passed away on August 16, 2025, after a long illness. At the age of 83, he leaves behind his wife, 3 sons, and 11 grandchildren. The family is asking for help with some of the expenses since his wife is left with only her social security income to pay off some large medical debt and cremation expenses.

Don was first diagnosed with prostate cancer several years ago and was receiving long-term treatments. In 2016, he was the victim in a head-on collision which left him permanently disabled. In 2020, he and his wife were part of the Beachie Creek fire that devastated the Santiam Canyon, where they had lived for 20 years. While rebuilding some of the structures that were lost, he fell out of the rafters and landed on his head, breaking his neck.

A little over a month ago, he was admitted to the emergency room for coughing up blood and was diagnosed with acute COPD and advanced small cell lung cancer. The doctor told him he had a few weeks to a few months to live.

Cremation costs have gone way up in the past couple of years and the family is still trying to pay off extensive medical costs that have been accrued since his accident.

Don was a loving father and grandfather. When he died, he still had dreams of finishing the rebuild and restoration of their homestead that they had worked so hard for after retiring.

We would sincerely appreciate any assistance you could give us to bring a peaceful close to his legacy.

This past month has been most difficult for me. I always thought I could handle just about anything, but apparently not. My children are all grown and have families of their own. I have always been the one to help them and others, and now I am the one needing help. I can't remember a time when I had to ask for help, and so this is extremely difficult for me. I completely and wholeheartedly appreciate the donations that people have made so far. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now I am just afraid of what's to come. After almost 60 years of working, I feel like I'm just living on the edge, feeling very insecure and vulnerable right now, and not sure what tomorrow will hold for me. May God bless all of you.