Goodbye to a Kitimat Icon
We are saddened to hear of the news of Doug Smith's recent passing. Doug's lively persona gave a unique voice to the Telethon, and his support of community helped make the Telethon into the long standing tradition it is today. Thanks for the memories, Doug!
A memorial service will be held at Christian Life Assembly on Sat, February 17th at 1PM.
It can be livestreamed using the following link: http://tinyurl.com/dougsmithmemorial
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in his name to the Annual Community Telethon https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/8982
SMITH, Douglas Gordon
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear husband and dad, Douglas (Doug) Gordon Smith. Doug died January 9, 2024 in Burnaby, B.C., after a long but well lived battle with cancer. He was 68 years old.
Doug is survived by his best friend and high school sweetheart Linda (nee Schmidt).
Also survived by their four children Matthew (Caroline), Christopher (Anya), Jennifer (Jeff) and Andrew (Justine). Three grandchildren, Ava, Felix and Oliver. Father, Ken; sister, Karla(Morgan); brother Rik(Debbie) and their children.
Doug was born in Dawson Creek, BC in 1955 and moved to Kamloops in 1967.
In 1974 Doug began a 15-year broadcasting career starting in Kamloops at CFJC where he began as a disc jockey with a 12 to 6am weekend country music show, he moved to the copy department and ultimately into the news department, where he was a journalist and anchored the 6pm news hour. He hosted the afternoon talk show Smith & Company (which replaced Let's Visit AWhile when Lois Cutler retired). Doug continued in broadcasting after moving to Kitimat in 1979 then followed Prince Rupert and Terrace, except for a year long stint in Smithers in 1982 working in public relations for Alcan. He took on many roles in both radio and television: announcer, creative copy writer, journalist, TV News Anchor, TV new producer, weatherman, talk show host, documentary producer and host, programme director, operations manager, news director and senior manager of personnel.
In 1990 Doug formed a private consulting practice, Smith Communications offering many types of workshops, marketing, media relations and much more.
In 1995 Doug changed careers and went into full time ministry. This was a calling God had put on him as a teenager. His first church was Christian Life Assembly in Langley, BC. He served there for 11 years, first as Pastoral Administrator and then as Executive Pastor. In 2006 Doug felt called to Living Waters Church in Fort Langley, BC where he served as a well-loved Lead Pastor until he and Linda retired in 2016, moving to Burnaby to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
In each community Doug lived, he lived out his epithet, A servant at heart. Since his youth he has looked for ways of serving…his family, his school, his work place, his community, his church family. He has been an example to many of what a servant leader looks like.
He was a student leader at school being Student Council President at NorKam Senior in Kamloops, he also hosted the Kami Bus Telethon and was an Auxiliary with the RCMP, he auctioned biffy covers for charities at the LacLaHache Winter Carnival.
He was a school trustee in Kitimat and hosted the Miss Kitimat Ambassador pageant. He hosted Kitimat’s Aluminum City Telethon for 25 years from its beginning in 1979. In 1985 he was given the title Honorary Citizen of Kitimat and the key to the city was bestowed on him.
In Terrace he served as an Alderman, President of Terrace and District Community Services Society, president of the Chamber of Commerce and emceed and hosted many community events. In 1985 Doug received a medal from the Royal Life Saving Society for his part in saving a little boy from drowning. At Canada's 125th birthday celebrations in Terrace, Doug was named Citizen of the Year. Just before he moved to Vancouver, Friday, September 29th, 1995 was proclaimed Doug Smith Day in Terrace.
Doug was an optimist, an encourager. He was kind and wise and humble. He saw the best in people and called that out in them. Many have sent notes and letters to say that Doug played a pivotal role in their lives.
We loved him dearly and he will be sorely missed.
A memorial service will be held at Christian Life Assembly on Sat, February 17th at 1PM.
It can be livestreamed using the following link: http://tinyurl.com/dougsmithmemorial
In lieu of flowers donations can be sent in his name to the Annual Community Telethon https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/8982