Garrett Smathers

Waynesville, Dr. Garrett A. Smathers, age 85, died on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at Autumn Care Nursing Home. A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Walter R. and Adeline Deaver Smathers. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Underwood and Loranzo F. Smathers and three sisters, Opal Wilson, Lucy Norris, and Esther Roberts. He was a US Army veteran of World War II and served in the 3rd Army Tank Destroyer Division in Normandy. He received his BA degree in Chemistry and Educational Psychology from UNCA and Furman University, his MA degree in Bioecology and Educational Psychology from Western Carolina University and his PhD degree in Botanical Sciences and Terrestrial Ecology from the University of Hawaii. Early in his career, he was a principal, teacher, and coach at Bethel High School where he wrote their theme song and began the first midget football team in Bethel. He also instructed chemistry at Asheville Biltmore Junior College. He worked full time as a naturalist for the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, Lava Beds National Monument in California, and the National Parks in Hawaii. During his career, Garrett held the positions of regional, chief, and senior scientist for the National Park Services, National Space Technology Laboratories, and Science Centers in Denver, Colorado, St. Louis, Mississippi, and Seattle, Washington. He also served as an ecological instructor at the Grand Canyon and a research biologist and supervisory naturalist at the University of Hawaii and lastly taught Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Ecology in the Buncombe County School System. His accomplishments earned him several honors and appointments including: 1974 Western Carolina University Distinguished Alumni Service Award for scientific achievement and administration of National Park Service research; 1984-89 appointment to NC State Environmental Management Commission; 1985 appointment to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by NC Governor J.B. Hunt Jr.; and 1999 Canton Paper Town Person of the Year. He was also a member of Canton Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia H. Smathers; two sons, Eric Smathers and Mark Smathers, both of Canton; one sister, Gertrude Smathers, of Waynesville; and two grandchildren, Ashley and Dylan Smathers, of Canton; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2011 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to one's favorite charity in Mr. Smathers' name.

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