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Paul Smith
loses battle with pancreatic cancer
By
Gene C. Johnson Jr.
Bulletin Staff Writer
A
memorial service was held Aug. 9 in the Compton High Auditorium for
Paul Smith, the school’s band director and art teacher of 14
years, who died while battling pancreatic cancer. He was 58.
Smith’s funeral services were held Aug. 8 at the National Cemetery
in Riverside, said his close friend Ellery Street, a former Compton
High School teacher.
“He was very strict, but very effective with his students,” said
Cleveland Palmer, chairman of the school’s Visual Performing
Arts, who was with Smith just prior to his death. “He never gave
up on a project. He was always on the move.”
“He found out he had cancer a week before his birthday, at the
end of April. When he found out he had cancer, he was in the last stages – no
symptoms,” added Street, who is also a 1968 Compton High graduate. “We
were an entertainment school – with or without a winning football
program. People still came to the games to see (the band).”
According to his daughter, Andi, Smith was born May 7, 1950, to Paul
L. and Irene Smith in Los Angeles, and graduated from John Muir High
School in Pasadena before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps
in 1969, staying in the service for nine years.
“I met Dr. Smith while planning my Class of 1973 25-year reunion
in 1998,” said Deborah Spottsville, president of the Compton
High School Alumni Association (CHSAA). “We (the reunion committee)
wanted the drummers to play at our reunion.
“Mr. Smith had never met me before, but he graciously consented,
and even accompanied the drummers to our reunion,” said the 1973
Compton High School graduate. “Whatever I needed him to do with
regards to the band's participation, he always consented.”
She said as a part of the Homecoming Day 2007 festivities, the CHSAA
gave money to various school organizations (Associated Student Body,
football team, band and the cheerleaders/drill team), requesting that
each report back to the CHSAA on how the funds were used.
“Dr. Smith was the only one to write a thank-you letter to the
CHSAA and to report on how he was going to use the funds for the band,” Spottsville
said.
Smith is survived by his five children: daughters Andi and Leri and
sons Paul, David and Taylor.
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