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© 2006-2008 The Ojai Post
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The views expressed herein are the personal views of each individual author or commenter and are not intended to reflect the views of The Ojai Post or its Authors, Tribal Core or Tyler Suchman as managing editor.

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In Memoriam: Harry Watson Smith

My deepest condolences to the Smith family. - tyler

harry smith ojaiharry smith ojaiharry smith ojai

Harry Watson Smith died at home in Ojai on February 23, 2008 at the age of 22. The cause of death was pneumonia.

He was born September 1, 1985 in Metairie, Louisiana, where he lived until 1996 when his family moved to Ojai. He attended Montessori School of Ojai, Villanova Preparatory School, and graduated from Nordhoff High School in 2003. He enlisted in the US Air Force and served at Fort Pope, North Carolina until December 2006.

Harry was a talented pianist and musician, and also enjoyed water sports and fishing with his family and friends.

An oak tree will be planted in Harry’s memory on the family property at 3pm Friday.

The memorial service will be Saturday 4:00pm, March 1, 2008 at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 1290 E. Grand Ave. All are welcome. Reception will follow at the family home.

Harry’s father, local musician Scott Smith, has been dedicating efforts to help remove the scourge of landmines from war-torn countries.

In remembrance of Harry, The Marshall Legacy Institute has named a Belgian Shepherd mine detection dog “Harry”. It will be trained and delivered to the country of Lebanon to safely help save innocent lives and return land to productive use.

The family is asking people who wish to make a gift to consider contributing to the purchase and training of mine detection dog “Harry” through the Marshall Legacy website. Please just note “for MDD Harry” on the check or online comment field.

Harry’s love, sense of humor, and adventurous spirit will be missed by all who knew him.

Posted by Tyler Suchman on February 28, 2008 08:46 AM | | | In Memoriam: Harry Watson Smith

Comments (4)

sounds like an amazing life, and profound ways to celebrate it. i will be making a contribution toward MDD Harry's training.

Comment #1 Posted by: evan austin | February 28, 2008 12:19 PM

My sincere condolences to the family of this wonderful young man.
That is a great photo of him in the ocean!

Tyler, thank you for posting the link to the Marshall Legacy web site. It's most enlightening. I find the family's request to donate to the training of "Harry" the mine detection dog to be an especially moving and meaningful tribute.

Here we are so fortunate to live in this beautiful, sacred valley. To think that in our era, on this very day, landmines kill and injure hundreds of people is just too sad and unacceptable!

Comment #2 Posted by: Suza | February 28, 2008 12:30 PM

Words can never express how sad I feel when a young person is taken so early. May God bless the Smith family and the many lives that I'm sure Harry touched in his young life.

Comment #3 Posted by: LTOR | February 28, 2008 12:44 PM

So tragic - my heart goes out to Scott and his family.

Comment #4 Posted by: Lisa Snider | February 28, 2008 06:46 PM

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