Spark Smutz

Spark Smutz, lifetime resident of La Grande, died Saturday, December 28, 2024 at a medical center in Richland, Washington.  He was 80 years of age.

A service will be held Friday, January 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Daniels-Knopp Chapel in La Grande.  Committal with military honors and interement will follow at the Grandview Cemetery.

Lawrence Lynn was born on May 30, 1944, in the old Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande, the second son born to Thelma (Strain) and Lynn Allen Smutz. Spark, as he was known, was born into a lineage of Oregon Pioneers, a descendant of his great-grandfather George Gekeler, who settled here in 1862. The family ranch received the distinction of being a Century Farm in 2010.  

Spark was raised and educated in La Grande, graduating with the LHS class of 1962.  After graduating he attended Eastern Oregon College to become a teacher.  Before his education was complete he entered the U.S. Army where he served as a meat inspector.  After his honorable discharge, he returned home to assist his father and brother with the family ranch and began working at Boise Cascade, a career that lasted 34 years before his retirement in 2007.  

In 1971 Spark was married to Barbara Zickler in John Day and together they had three children: a son Kelly and twin daughters Kristi and Keri. The family celebrated Spark & Barb's 50th wedding anniversary on June 19, 2021.

Spark was very active in the community, being a member of the Oregon Farm Bureau, 4-H leaders Association, the Union County Extension where he served on the budget committee and the advisory committees for many years.  He was an honorary member of the La Grande Chapter of Future Farmers of America.  He was a member of the First Christian Church, the Elks Lodge and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in La Grande.

Spark enjoyed working in his yard and garden, watching football and other sports on TV, and attending the grandkids' sports and other events.  With his good friend J.P. Morgan, he owned the Smutz & Morgan Carriage Company which they operated for various weddings and events.  Spark loved to read and putter.  He and Barb enjoyed many trips to Barnes and Noble and Craftsmen's Warehouse in Tri-cities.  He also enjoyed listening to music, especially his favorites, Tanya Tucker, Wynonna Judd, Toby Keith, and Reba McIntire.

Surviving relatives include his wife of 53 years, Barbara of La Grande; children, Kelly & Sarah Smutz of The Dalles, Kristi & Scott Roe of Pendleton, Keri & Jed Polfer of Hereford; six grandchildren, Devon & Kiersten Roe, Audrey Smutz, Amelia Smutz, Makenzie Polfer, Karlee and Kaitlin Polfer, great-grandchildren Heston and Hazel; sister-in-law Nada Smutz & brother-in-law Marsh Tildon of Elgin, brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Kim & Carla Lemons of Mt. Vernon, OR, brother-in-law Bruce Bailey of Crossville, TN; cousins, Tony, Margaret and Georgia Hempe, Irwin Smutz, Donna D Clark, Paul Smutz, Charles Smutz, Kay Abell, the Bailey Cousins; nieces & nephews, Kim Emerson, Tracie Powell, John Lemons, Sara Wilson, Chrysta Biss, and Anita Bond; and many grandnephews and grandnieces.

Besides his parents, Spark was preceded in death by his brother Merrill, in-laws, Richard and Lorraine Zickler, Brian Bond, Terri Bond and a grandson Connor Polfer.

Contributions in memory of Lawrence "Spark" Smutz may be made to the Union County 4-H Leaders Association c/o 10502 S. McAlister Road, La Grande or to the Friends of the Union County Fair, c/o Kathy Shaw, P.O. Box 976, La Grande.