Orie Dean Smith, 84, of White Pine, Michigan passed away on December 9, 2011 in Marquette, Michigan.

Orie, better known as "O.D." or "Smitty," was born on December 21, in 1926 in St. Johns, Michigan to Alfred and Catherine (Burley) Smith. He and his parents moved to Lowell when he was young. His parents tied everything they owned to their automobile and ended up in Lowell, where his dad purchased a store and set up an antique business.

Smitty left high school when he was 17, after his father signed papers so he could join the Navy. His promise was that when the war was over he would complete his education, which he did. He always had a sense of adventure in him.

He met his future wife, Betty, while inventorying a Kroger store. They were married on April 22nd 1946.

Smitty worked for Royal Globe Insurance as an insurance adjuster for 17 years. He built a home in Lowell and purchased a farm in Saranac, which they farmed for seven years. The family then moved to St. Johns.

He and Betty traveled to Haines, Alaska in 1970 and made their home there. He was a bookkeeper for Schnabel's Saw Mill and then they went into commercial fishing. O.D. cherished his wife of 63 years and they shared many adventures together, from farming to fishing to gold panning and exploring the waters and land of Alaska. Orie built two other homes in Haines, Alaska, leaving his mark in that ocean community where they lived for many years before moving to White Pine, Michigan in 2005.

Orie had a keen sense of humor and never tired of telling jokes. He loved reading, and he bought an airplane and took flying lessons. He was very knowledgeable in alternative medicine. He had a passion for animals, especially dogs. Much of his enjoyment came from caring for his furry friends.

Orie is survived by his wife, Betty; daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Richard McCann of Warrenton, Oregon, Dawn and Marvin Randall of Mesick, MI and Robin and Al Near of Coeur d'Alene, ID; five grandchildren, Laura Abramson, Tara Edwards, Rhett Randall, Jay Randall and Jesse Randall and their spouses; and three great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

Funeral Services for Orie will take place Saturday, December 17 at 2 p.m. at the Cane Funeral Home in Ontonagon, MI. Friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place in the spring.