Colton Thorstrom Smith

Gone but never forgotten, our very special son, grandson, brother, cousin and friend departed from this earthly place on June 17, 2017. Colton Thorstrom Smith was born July 16, 1999 and has spent nearly every minute of those days challenging and enjoying his life. He is a fifth generation Smith born to the Olympia area and living on the same land his great grandfather farmed. His enthusiasm for a challenge saw him racing down the snowy mountains in Washington and Oregon on a snowboard, zipping across the canyons in Mexico, parasailing, kneeboarding, and any sport that gave him a thrill of the speed and adventure he craved. He earned his Ti Kwan Do black belt in his early teens. He trained and ran his first half marathon at the age of 16. In his 17th year, he decided that running burned up too many calories so he switched to weight lifting and succeeded in bulking up. He eagerly anticipated his 18th birthday for the thrill of parachuting in mid-July. Colton loved to get away to the coast for weekend trip of clam digging and fishing with his family. He loved being in the mountains, whether hiking, hunting or exploring caves. Special trips east of the Cascades would find him camping and hunting with his dad, brother and uncle. He also loved being in the boat out on the bay fishing, crabbing, and shrimping. He took many trips in his life to several areas around the world, most notably to Ethiopia, where he hung out at an orphanage playing with the kids. Then he and his mom and friends spent a week traveling through the Omo Valley, meeting indigenous Mursi and Hammar Tribes. He had several road trips across the state, covering most of the western states down into the Bayous of Louisiana. In Louisiana, he found a new favorite food in alligator and frog legs. No alligators in Olympia but he and his friend, Eric, put a dent in the bullfrog population and learned to clean, soak and enjoy local frog legs. Colton attended River Ridge High School for two years and then joined the Running Start program at SPSCC. He planned to enlist in the military, leaning towards being a Marine or Army Ranger for four years, and then going into law enforcement. He leaves behind his parents, Mike and Nichon; and his brother, Garrett; grandparents, Carol and Mervin Smith and Lynda and Jerry Thorstrom; plus several aunts, uncles and cousins. Please leave memories of Colton or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.