Ira Smith Obituary

My dear sweet Ira C....You will be so missed. My childhood is filled with such wonderful memories of you! Thank-you for supporting my athletic career and my daughters careers! Loved watching the friendship that you shared with my parents. The partnership with my dad on the tennis court was amazing! Loved cheering as you two traveled to all your tournaments! You made an Amazing team! I enjoyed going to Sacramento with you, for the treat of courtside seats and being introduced to a few pros!!! Always so kind and generous, a blessing. The world won't be the same without you in it! Rest in peace, my dear friend. Until we meet again!

Ira was one of a kind, always representing Napa sports in a positive and supportive way. As a coach, I never had to think twice about Ira's reporting and it was always calming to hear his distinctive voice celebrating the young people of Napa. Rest in peace, Ira C. Smith

Much of my high school years revolved around playing sports year round at Vintage. That voice over the air on KVON was legendary; in the locker-room and in the (only once, I wasn't "The Man" on the field or the court) interview he asked of me near my locker before the "Big Game" against Napa High. Years later he asked me to do "color" (along with my uncle, Dino Alessio --stats) for the football games over the air and MAN was that fun. He is a sports icon here in Napa Valley. I stand with thousands (some sports giants) tipping my hat/helmet to Ira.

What a legacy for a great, caring man who truly served his community.

Ira was truly Mr. Napa. Kind, gentle, sweet entertaining guy. Always up. Cared about everyone in the Valley and beyond. let us not forget he was also a dancin´ fool

Truly the Legend of Napa Valley Sports, Ira was always willing to use his Golden Voice to advertise upcoming events and announce the play-by-play at the events. We could always count on Ira to let the community know when the Napa Valley College Tennis Club Team was hosting or traveling to a tournament. He was our Master of Ceremony for the dedication ceremony of our brand new lighted Napa Valley College tennis courts in 2006. Ira developed a doubles tournament scoring style that allows partners to change places with other teams, succeeding in a final score for each player in the tournament. We continue to use Ira's ideas for our end-of-semester tennis class tournaments. His dedication to tennis in our community was wonderful and very much appreciated. Ira will be deeply missed!
May you rest in peace and may your family and friends find peace with respect to your passing from this life. God bless you and your family.

Ira, I had just wished you a happy birthday and then you did the unbelievable and left this world. I so enjoyed the 40 years of knowing you and our talks about Cincinnati. Every time you saw me you asked me where my hat was??? I enjoyed your years of broadcasting and that great voice and smile. You will definitely be missed by so many. Until we meet again, rest in peace sweetie.

When the Thunder Roars and the Lightnin' Strikes, that will be Ira calling a Napa High School touchdown! Too many great calls to share them all, but one stands out...some of you will remember that deep baritone voice raising to its top to shout, "Touchdown! Steve Buuuuuuuucelaaaaaatoooo! Awesome memory to this day for me and my wife Carol! We will see you all on the 24th! Michael and Carol Mitchell

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Ira, truly one of the classiest individuals I´ve had the pleasure to meet, and work with.

Napa was so blessed to have had such a talented Sports Broadcaster! It was a real thrill as Ira broadcasted so many of Napa´s greatest sporting events over the years. What a treat it was to tune in to the radio growing up in Napa during that time, as he broadcasted many friends, classmates, even family´s athletic events; a real kick to listen as Ira skillfully called my brother Ron´s Vintage Crusher Basketball games in the late 70s-80s! I also had the pleasure to work with Ira during our time spent together with the Sacramento Kings (2000-2003). It was a real privilege to work side by side with such a true professional, and so memorable as we rehashed many of the biggest games he had called in Napa those previous years. I recall our years with the Kings quite fondly, as Ira classically offered me a bottle of champagne to celebrate the birth of my son Michael, in 2001.

I would like to offer my condolences to the family of Ira C. Smith, who will truly go down as a legend in the Napa Valley, for their loss. He will be greatly missed.

Such a great guy! A fixture at our Napa High basketball games. So many good memories. We will miss Ira. Our family's deepest condolences in the loss of such a wonderful man.

Marcy Torres Davison & family

The Voice of Napa Valley we all knew and loved! Thank you for all you did, you will be truly missed! Our Sincere Condolences to your family.
Jerry & Peggy Larghi & Family

The Man was a Legend and my friend. He will be dearly missed

Great voice, personality, local legend.

Thank you Ira for your service to the Napa community. Your reporting has been and will be miss by many generations of Napa residents.
Rest in peace and may God give your family peace.
Janet Bell Campbell