Roy Morrow Smith passed away unexpectedly Friday, January 15, due to complications following a heart attack. He was 71.

Born in Juneau to Tarleton 'Tee' and Doris (Gregg) Smith on December 25, 1949, his family then moved to Petersburg in 1952. During his childhood, Roy grew into a talented athlete and avid outdoorsman, learning early to hunt and fish from his dad, who instilled in him the respect and care of nature's bounty. Roy's fishing career began when he landed his first job on Audi Matheson's halibut boat where his love and learning of fishing began. Understanding the value of hard work, he became an enthusiastic crewman who intuitively saw what needed to be done without being told. After his first season, at the age of 16, Roy flew to Seattle and bought his first car, an El Camino SS 396 and he never looked back.
Throughout his high school years, Roy was a serious contender on the Petersburg Vikings team and after graduating from Petersburg High School in 1968, he attended the Oregon Technical Institute in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He was inducted into the army at Fort Ord in 1971 and was honorably discharged in 1973, returning to Petersburg and buying his first gillnetter, the Sleep Robber, from his brother, Victor.

In Juneau in August 1973, Roy and Johanna McPhetres met on a night out dancing at the Baranof Bubble Room. Later that year, they married at Holy Trinity Church on New Year's Eve. After returning from their honeymoon in Mexico, they moved onto the Sleep Robber in Petersburg and called it home until the fishing season started. In 1974, they returned to Juneau to live and in 1980, they moved into their new home on Norway Point, a household dedicated to family, friends and many a fine gathering. In the off season, Roy was fully engaged with his three daughters, encouraging their success throughout their lives. He loved traveling with their teams and being part of the action. Their dad was their hero.

As years went by, Roy's fishing career blossomed. He was soon seining on the beautiful 'San Juan' in the Sitka herring fishery as well as in Southeast Alaskan waters. He added Prince William Sound, Togiak, Bristol Bay, and Cook Inlet herring to his list and in 1979 he acquired a Bristol Bay gillnetting operation which became his favorite fishery. Eventually downsizing his interests to spend more time at home, he kept fishing in Bristol Bay until he retired just this last year.

In 1981, he was a founding partner of Lafayette Fisheries which became NorQuest Seafoods in subsequent years. Roy was well known and respected in the fishing industry, but most importantly, he loved it. He was a hard worker and enjoyed being a mentor to his young crew members, many of whom attribute their solid work ethic to him. A friend wrote, "Roy was not just a fishing partner, but a mate in the truest sense of the word.  While it was always hard and focused work, he created a boat atmosphere of fun and enjoying each other.  It was always important to support your mates, have a good meal, and be happy at the end of the day. Everyone was equal, everyone important".

At home, an evening spent with good friends, sharing his smoked black cod or sockeye salmon with a fine wine was an evening well spent. He was the head chef of his household and preferred cooking the "old fashioned way" which meant there was a lot of stirring by hand – his attention to detail shone in everything he did. In 2008, he created a home business, Roy's Select Alaskan Catch, producing cold-smoked sockeye salmon. With his hands-on care and quality consciousness, he created a delicacy that showcased his love for salmon.

Thirty years ago, Roy began running when he decided it was a sport he could improve at as he got older. After serious training, he ran in a number of Pacific Northwest marathons and later, he ran annually in his favorite half marathon in Mt Vernon: "Nookachamps, where the wild swans gather." His endless curiosity about the world around him kept him learning and growing throughout his life. He was a voracious reader of world history, and active with many causes, including advocacy for Bristol Bay opposing the Pebble Mine. His family was constantly in awe of his discipline and steadfast dedication to his many passions in life.

In 2012, Roy and Johanna moved into their "cabin" on the water where Roy was happiest, enjoying their Alaskan lifestyle; gardening, deer hunting, hauling the crab pot, and whale watching. Once, competing with sea lions while reeling in a very large halibut, he won when he gave a mighty pull, landing the 80-pounder on top of him. He loved tending to his apple and cherry trees, canning fish and berries, smoking his black cod, and sharing his bounty with loved ones. He was an adoring grandfather to his granddaughters who will miss his lively spirit and camaraderie. His generosity will be greatly missed but his love of life will be his legacy.

Roy is survived by his wife Johanna of 47 years, brother Victor (Phebe) Smith of Friday Harbor, Washington, sister Marilyn (John) Hendricks of Bellingham, Washington; mother Doris Smith of Sitka, Alaska; children, Amber (David) Butler of Bothell, Washington, Kiersten (Mark) Johnson of Seattle, Washington, and Dorian Smith, of Olympia, Washington; grandchildren Mae Butler, Elliot and Maisyn Johnson, brother-in-law Sam McPhetres of Saipan, and sister-in-law Jan McPhetres of Juneau; many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be planned later in the year. The family thanks the EMTs with Juneau-Douglas Fire Department as well as Dr. Lindy Jones and the Emergency Room staff at Bartlett Regional Hospital. Condolences can be sent to the Smith Family, PO Box 20481, Juneau, AK 99802.