Obituary: Claude Wesley Smock, 72

Claude Wesley Smock died at his home near Orland on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The middle of five boys, he was born in Napa to George and Lavanda Smock on January 15, 1952.

They left Napa when Claude was in the second grade and purchased a ranch on the north bank of Stony Creek, where Claude and his brothers ran the creek like a pack of wild dogs. The family ranch, Claude’s favorite home, was a place of hard work and many escapades.

In 1970, he graduated from Orland High School, where he played football. After high school, he worked many jobs and was a jack of all trades: hay hauler, welder, backhoe owner and operator, construction, ranch hand, olive grower, OUWA maintenance man, and Simplot and John Taylor service man, to name a few.

In 1987 he met and married the love of his life, Kelly (Forbes) Smock. He transformed an old milk farm on the family ranch into their forever home, where they raised their son, Allen.

He was a faithful and loving husband and father. He was a devoted friend to many and would give the shirt off his back.

To know him was to love him, his loved ones agree. Many would describe him as hard-working, trustworthy, and caring.

A guy who really loved his dogs, Claude was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for hunting, fishing, and dirt bike riding. He was one of the founders of the West Valley Bowhunters.

He is survived by his wife, Kelly; son, Allen; brothers, George (Susan), Burns, and Whick (Sandy); brothers-in-law Brent (Kelly) Forbes, Scott (Barb) Forbes, and Wade (Gina) Forbes; many nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and -nephews.

Claude was preceded in death by his parents; brother O’Larry; niece Natalie; and in-laws Marvin and Darlene Forbes.

His loved ones agree he will be missed deeply by many!

A celebration of life is planned for 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, at Oak Hollow Farms, 6207 County Road 7, Orland, CA, 95963. For more information, call 530-865-4512.