Charles Edward Smith Jr.

Services will be held in Santa Cruz on Saturday August 13th, for Charles Smith Jr. who passed away peacefully at Dominican Hospital with his loving wife at his bedside. Born in Baxter, Arkansas, he would have celebrated his 81rst birthday in November. A resident of Santa Cruz for the past 55 years. Mr. Smith was raised in central California, and served his country in the US Navy during WW II. Upon his return from the service, he began a 5 year career as a truck driver, and then as a grounds keeper at a cemetery in central California for as many years. Mr. Smith was an accomplished handyman, and enjoyed working on household projects, and shared his talents by helping his neighbors with their home repair needs. He and his wife Yvonne, loved to travel, and many fond memories will continue to be shared of their visits to Los Angeles and Orange Counties to visit his family there. He was baptized into the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Mr. Smith leaves many dear church family members in the Santa Cruz Seventh Day Adventist Church Community whose prayers, support, and friendship, have been a blessing for both he and Yvonne. He is survived by his beloved wife Yvonne Smith of Santa Cruz, his daughters, Suzanne Cross of Nevada, Carla Lewis of Fresno, and Rose Rodriguez of Santa Cruz. He also leaves his granddaughter, Roberta and her son, Giovanni, and his grandchildren; Chris, John, Brian and Jeanette and their families. Services will be held at Santa Cruz Seventh Day Adventist Church (1024 Cayuga Street on Saturday, August 13, 2016 beginning at 2:00 p.m. A visitation will take place at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel on Friday August 12th from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. A graveside ceremony will follow at Santa Cruz Memorial Park on Friday, August 12th at 2:00 pm Kind acts of charity can be made in his memory to Santa Cruz Seventh Day Adventist Church. To express your condolences or share a memory with Charles family, please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com.