April 27, 2006
Western Loses Aerospace Leader
Erdis M. Smith, known as "Mike" to his many friends, has lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 68. He passed away on April 22 at his home in Roseburg, Oregon, and was with his wife Peggy and family at the time of his passing. Mike is survived by Peggy, his mother Mozelle, sons Wesley and Perry, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild, many close and dear friends and his IAM family. Military Honors will be provided by the VFW District 12 Honor Guard.
Mike served eight years as the Directing Business Representative of IAM District 720 in California. District 720 was the Aerospace District, and was responsible for negotiating and protecting contracts for thousands of workers at Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas and others. Mike joined the IAM while working as a machinist on the Space Program at Vandenberg. Mike retired in 1993, and moved to Oregon, where he had been born and raised.
Western Territory GVP Lee Pearson said that, "Mike was a dedicate trade unionist, and always worked to bring the best contract back for his people. He led the Californis Aerospace industry through some tough times in the late eighties, and there are a lot of working families that are much better off today because Mike was there fighting for them. I was in Oregon last year for some meetings and called Mike to see how he was doing, and we met for dinner. He and Peggy came out and they were having a great life. Bragging about their cooking classes and their wine making skills. I will miss Mike, and send my prayers out to Peggy and all the family. We share in their loss."
All of the IAM wishes to extend their sincerest sympathies to the Smith family, and their warmest appreciation for the leadership and dedication that Brother Mike Smith gave to working families.
