Obituary of Haruko Smith

Haruko Smith, 80, passed away at her home on July 18, 2021. She was a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado since 1996.Haruko was born on November 28, 1940. She grew up with three sisters and one brother in her hometown of Yokohama-Shi Kanagawa-Ken, Japan.In 1962, Haruko met her future husband Donald E. Smith, Jr. while he was stationed with the United States Navy at Atsugi Air Base in Japan. After two years of fighting obstacles of Japanese tradition and bureaucratic red tape, their love prevailed and they were married on March 3, 1964. Later in 1964, they gave birth to their first child, Donald III, in Topeka, Kansas. A few years later while stationed in California in 1967, they welcomed their second child, LaTonya, in Vallejo and in 1969 they welcomed their third and last child, Anthony, in Antioch.After serving twenty-two years they decided to retire from the Navy while stationed in San Diego, California, where Haruko worked as a Japanese restaurant hostess for many years afterward. In 1996, they decided to relocate to Colorado Springs, Colorado to be closer to their children's growing families and take on the new and exciting role of being grandparents. Haruko continued to work at a Japanese restaurant as a hostess until she retired in 2003.Haruko loved spending time and babysitting her grandchildren throughout her retirement. She was an excellent homemaker and loved to prepare traditional Japanese foods for all of her family. She also enjoyed creating food with vegetables from her own garden and loved to manicure her ornamental garden as well. Haruko absolutely adored her dogs, they were a part of her everyday routine and gave her great joy and pleasure.Haruko is survived by her husband of 57 years, Donald Smith, Jr.; her son and daughter-in-law, Donald III and Paula Smith of Colorado Springs, Colorado; her daughter and son-in-law, LaTonya and Fredrick Wallace of Birmingham, Alabama; her son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Toni Smith of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and their ten grandchildren, Shyann, Shanea, Noelle, Jordan, Alexis, Chayse, Kendall, Kristen, Kasey, and Kayla; and three great-grandchildren, Scarlett, Noah, and Kai.We will mourn the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother as we also celebrate her life and our love for her. Haruko will truly be missed by all those whose lives were touched by her.Graveside Service, 12:00PM, Friday, September 3, 2021, Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80925. Events Graveside Friday, September 3, 2021 12:00PM Pikes Peak National Cemetery 10545 Drennan Road Colorado Springs, CO 80925 Phone: 202-632-8035 Final Resting Place Pikes Peak National Cemetery 10545 Drennan Road Colorado Springs, CO 80925