Rev. Dr. Joe E. Smith

Rev. Dr. Joe Smith.

Pastor Joe Smith died unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016. Joe Everitt Smith was born in Wallace, Idaho. He attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., where he graduated in 1961 with a degree in Philosophy and History, then entered seminary at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley.

Pastor Smith received his first call to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Vancouver, Wash., after which he was called to Saron Lutheran Church in Hoquiam, Wash. In 1972 Pastor Smith was called to St. James Lutheran Church in downtown Portland where he is a legend having served St. James faithfully for nearly three decades. Among the many accomplishments of his ministry are the St. James Apartments, the first low to moderate income building completed in more than ten years, the St. James Child Development Center and leading St. James to become the first Reconciling in Christ ELCA congregation in the Oregon Synod.

He established a relationship with a Lutheran Church in Portland's Sister City, Sapporo, Japan and a coffee plantation in Malawi, Africa which was a significant ministry of the church for over seven years. His singular visions also spread into the political world. During the 1980's he joined forces with Rev. John Whiteneck in Generations for Peace, originally an anti-nuclear organization. In 1992, Pastor Smith was prominent in leading the charge against Measure 9 which was ultimately defeated. He has touched generations of hearts within St. James, as well as beyond, into the surrounding community, city of Portland and state of Oregon.

Pastor Smith is survived by his spouse of 53 years, Judith Ann Smith; his daughter, Ann Smith Sehdev (Paul); his son, Adam Smith; his grandchildren, Cotter and Suresh Sehdev; and his brothers, David, Gary and Chris.