Obituary of A. Neil Smith

I QUIT A. Neil Smith (1938-2016) opted to leave this earth with a shockingly rapid exit; just as he did when he decided to retire after 38 years as an educator with Orange Unified School district in Orange County, CA in which he left his career with the infamous 'I Quit' letter that was the talk of the town. Similarly, he opted to leave his earthly life following a sound yearly physical in February, but his heart gave out on March 29th, after a brief but serious illness, so one can only conclude that his Spirit was ready to be called Home. Neil was born in Burbank, CA on January 31,1938 to Meta E. Seeling and John Alfred Smith. His only son, Gregory Neil Smith resulted from his first marriage to Martha G. Bush; he also had two stepsons, Jeffrey A. Herrera and Chris R. Herrera from his 42 year marriage to Monica J. Herrera (nee: Monica Jeanette Dunbar). He leaves one sister, Mary E. Mauer, Glendale AZ, four nieces, Linda, Sue, Jan & Patti and a nephew, David. He was pre-deceased by his eldest sister, Meta A. Kent, two brothers-in-law & a nephew, Billy Kent. Neil was an athlete while at Burbank HS as a Southpaw in baseball; later obtained his Masters degree in education at Chapman College in the city of Orange, CA. He enjoyed teaching 4th graders, then was recruited as the youngest Principal in his school district to head Richland Continuation HS for troubled youth, plus serving in various other administrative positions. He loved traveling in Mexico, experiencing 'total immersion' by spending his summer months in Chihuahua, Mexico, while navigating daily living & trying to communicate in Spanish. Later, he and Monica traveled extensively in Mexico, at times accompanied by the three boys and other family members. Since he loved to cook & garden, this made him an excellent 'Mr. Mom' to the boys while their mother's job required some travel. He loved his many pets, incl. dogs, Corky, Buddy, Pugsly; parrots, 'Hello' & Rico; finches: later after retirement, his cats, Buster & Buddy, quail, hummingbirds, etc. upon his move to Tucson. He fell in love with desert lifestyle of peace & tranquility, plus the beauty of sunsets & rainstorms so much that he avoided travel to the noise & busy freeways of Southern CA. He was a loyal, dependable, loving family man with many close friends & family who will miss him so very much.