Frederick John Smokoski

Frederick John Smokoski

 Frederick John Smokoski was born January 19, 1935, in Auburn, New York, the son of John and Helen Smokoski. He died April 6, 2024, at the age of 89, at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, Colorado.  

 Fred was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan, of Walla Walla, Washington. They enjoyed 42 years together, following their marriage on July 16, 1968. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Shauna Steingrebe, of Worland, Wyoming; a brother, John Smokoski, of Randolph, Vermont; and his grandson, Hap Mills, of Willcox, Arizona.   

 He is survived by his children, Melanie Cook of Dolores, Colorado, and Scott Smokoski of Fort Worth, Texas. He is also survived by a sister, Virginia Smokoski of Auburn, New York. In addition, Fred’s surviving family includes five nieces, six grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. He took great pleasure in the academic and professional accomplishments of his children and all his grandchildren. 

 Graduating from Auburn East High School in 1952, Fred soon enlisted in the Marine Corps and was deployed to Korea as a radio telegraph operator. He was proud of his service and part of the brotherhood of Marines for all of his life. When he returned to the States, he enrolled in college under the G.I. Bill, attending the State University College of Education at Geneseo, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education in 1960. Fred went on to earn a Master of Science degree at the University of Illinois in 1961, followed in 1966 by Doctor of Education (Ed.D) at Pennsylvania State University. He taught courses at both Idaho State University in Pocatello and the University of Arizona in Tucson. After leaving university teaching, he joined the Colorado Department of Education from which he retired as the State Director of Special Education. He terminated his professional career as the Executive Director of the San Luis Valley Board of Cooperative Educational Services. Throughout his tenure in education, Fred was a part of a changing paradigm in the education of students with disabilities and had a profound impact on the services provided for exceptional children. 

 Among Fred’s interests were reading, photography, and travel throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, playing Minor League Baseball and college soccer as a young man, followed by running, bike riding, racquetball, and the occasional badminton or volleyball game. In his later years, he enjoyed daily walks with his dogs Lucile and Spinner, and the company of his cranky cat, Edith. He further enjoyed time with his daughter, Melanie, and her family.

 Fred will join his wife once again when his cremains are interred at the Mountain View Cemetery in Walla Walla, Washington on June 6, 2024. A celebration of life will be held in Cortez with the time and place to be announced. Fred requested that donations in his name may be made to the animal charity or shelter of your choice.