Shane Smith, 56, of Ventura, passed away on Sept. 15 as a result of injuries sustained when his motorcycle collided with another vehicle on Pacific Coast Highway west of Malibu.
Smith was born on Nov. 11, 1956, in Los Angeles to Myrtle Smith and Melvin Smith, who preceded him in death. His given name was Fredric Loren Smith, which he later changed to Shane.
Smith grew up in Chapman, Kan., and attended the Chapman public schools. He lived in Abilene, Kan., and Ocala, Fla., before moving back to California. Smith, who was employed by California State Parks, was on his way to an early morning shift when the crash occurred near the Sycamore Canyon Camping Grounds. He loved nature and being outdoors, and was quiet, hard working and dedicated to his job.
Smith was a talented artist, a lifelong motorcyclist, and a thoughtful, intelligent, kind person with a wonderful sense of humor. His faith was very important to him, and he was well-liked by those who knew him. He was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and a member of the Valley View Congregation in Ventura. Smith was a highly valued employee at the Leo Carrillo State Park and a good neighbor to those at the Ventura Trailer Town.
“Shane was a generous person with a warm smile and a big heart,” Smith’s family wrote. “Shane will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.”
Smith is survived by his sisters, Linda Anderson of Americus, Kan., and Rhonda Rucas of Streetman, Texas; brothers William Smith of Colony, Kan., and Stephen Smith of Topeka, Kan.; aunts Henrietta Fox of Manhattan, Kan., and Betty Sevart of Wichita, Kan.; uncles John Lantz of Manhattan, Kan., and Charles Smith of Salina, Kan., as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services will take place Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 476 Cedar St. in Ventura at 3 p.m.