| Graduation Year | Class of 1956 |
| Date of Passing | Nov 01, 2016 |
| About | My dad Dennis Smither, better known as Cap left us on November 1st 2016. He was born to a pioneering family in 1938, the youngest of 3. He was raised and lived most of his life on the ranch that was homesteaded by his grandfather. He was called Cap for so long, even some of his friends didn't know his real name. In fact for over 50 years neither did he. Dennis was in fact his middle name. He learned his first name Loyal (named after an ancestor) only by accident when he applied for a passport after he retired. His home, on Smither Road was originally settled by his grandfather Thomas Benton Smither. As true for most of Mariposas first settlers, the family did back breaking work, hard labor to make a living. Cap was born September 3rd 1938 in Merced. He retired from CDF (CalFire) in 1992. After 30 years. He devoted himself to gardening, traveling. He traveled to Australia, Iceland, Argentina, England, and Chile just to name a few. He also enjoyed several cruises. He was preceded in death by both his sibliing. Ernest Smither his brother was killed in action during the Korean War. Cap was only 10 years old. His sister Melba Smither Peters Sterkle proceeded him in 2008. Cap spent the last few years of his life in Gardnerville Nevada. Where he thought it as funny that he was known as Dennis not Cap. He is survived by his wife of 36 years Barbara, daughters Deborah Gray and her husband James. James is also a Mariposa High School alumni, class of 1973. Sarita Sellers and her children, William, Aretta and Raymond Sellers. Misty Williams and her 3 daughters. Kelly Mitchell and her daughter. Two stepsons, Keith Kreitter and Mark Scott and Mark's children Mark, Halie, Lacie and Christopher Scott. His niece's April Wilcox and Christine Braziel(both Mariposa High School alumni ) and their families. Christine Carter Braziel class of 1967 is also pictured with my dad Cap. |
