Austin Smythe, a resident of Aberdeen, and Elma High School graduate, lost his life in a car accident on the morning of May 30, driving home from his job as an Appliance Technician in Seabrook. While his time on Earth was far shorter than it should’ve been, Austin touched many lives through his unconditional love, his commitment to helping others, and his wicked sense of humor.
Austin came into the world as a miracle baby to his mother, Laurie Packard Hardy and father, Doug Smythe, both of whom had wanted a child for years. Over time, Austin gained three siblings, Alexa, Tanner and Addison Templeton, ages 23, 20, and 15, respectively.
Austin’s three sons, Joshua, 10; Douglas, 8; and Owen, 5, whom he shared with co-parent and friend, Ruth Smythe, were his pride and joy. Recently, Austin found love again with Shannon Johnson of Aberdeen. Austin spent much of his free time with his boys, often adding Shannon’s kids to the mix, teaching them to play football, fish, catch salamanders and putt a golf ball. He loved that his boys wanted to play golf just like their dad. Austin taught the kids about life, making sure they knew they could be anything they wanted to be. He also shared his mistakes, along with instructions on how NOT to make them. In addition to being a great dad, Austin was a self-proclaimed mama’s boy, who proudly spoke about his mom’s achievements and her influence in his life. He also taught the kids in his life to respect and appreciate their own moms.
Like everyone, Austin faced his share of challenges. A few years ago, Austin fought and beat an addiction that had threatened to take everything from him. He later credited his success to his love for his sons and his mom, and his desire “to be someone they could be proud of.” With them as his motivation, Austin made ALL his loved ones very proud.
Austin was a joker and he didn’t care about looking silly as long as he made people laugh. Years ago, as a teenager, Austin and his friend Ryan got, and hid some cigarettes. When Ryan’s parents discovered them, Ryan’s dad hollowed out the end of one and put a firecracker inside. Ryan’s parents didn’t expect it to hurt the boys, they just figured the boys would see it and know they’d been caught. Instead, Austin and Ryan called Ryan’s mom, yelling about how the cigarette had blown up into their faces. When Ryan’s mom, Kristie, started to panic, they couldn’t hold it in and started laughing hysterically!
In addition to his sense of humor, Austin had a huge heart and wanted to help others whenever he could. A co-worker at Seabrook described how Austin gave a moment of his undivided attention to each co-worker or resident he encountered, looking them in the eye, often providing kind words, and making them feel like they mattered. A family friend shared how Austin offered to help bring in their hay, even though he was allergic to it. It’s not surprising to those who knew him that Austin was willing to sacrifice his own comfort, without a second thought, if it meant he could be helpful.
In addition to his parents, children, siblings, and girlfriend, Austin is survived by his grandparents, Larry, Karen, and Judy Packard; stepfather, Derek Hardy; step-siblings, Julia and Cameron Hardy; aunts, Gala Smythe and Shelly Pletch, uncles, Mark, Charlie, and Justin Packard, and Daniel Pletch; and cousins on both sides of his family. Austin considered many of his family’s friends to be family and is loved deeply by many, including Rod and Melanie Bell; Patty Miller; Brittnee and Brandon LaDue; Mindi Whittaker; Brian and Kristie Bell; Tyler and Ryan Dahlstrom; Paula Arnold; Kyle and Sarah Haikkila; Mike Vest; Dustin Schindele; and too many others to mention (you know who you are).
Austin’s family would love to receive stories and videos of Austin. Send stories, request video-sharing links, lor learn how you can make donations to help with his kids’ future needs, by emailing RememberingAustinSmythe@gmail.com.
Please join us for Austin’s Celebration of Life ceremony July 9, 2023, 1 p.m., at the Lake Sylvia Legacy Pavilion in Montesano.
