Delford M. Smith

Delford Michael Smith (born Michael King; February 25, 1930 – November 7, 2014) was an American aviator and businessman from the state of Oregon. He was orphaned at birth and then adopted at a young age. Smith graduated from the University of Washington, and then served in the United States Air Force. Smith founded Evergreen Helicopters in 1960. This was the first of seven interrelated companies founded by Smith. All his companies were headquartered in McMinnville, Oregon. Later, Smith created the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, home of the Spruce Goose.

Early life Smith was born Michael King in Seattle, Washington on February 25, 1930. Just before his birth, his birth parents were in an automobile accident. His father was killed in the crash and his mother died a short time later while giving birth to him. After his birth, he was placed in an orphanage. At the age of 20 months, he was adopted by Emory and Mabel Smith and renamed Delford Michael Smith.

Delford "Del" Smith was raised by his adoptive mother in Bucoda, Washington. He grew up in poor conditions during the Great Depression and World War II. His mother worked in a candy factory and cleaned houses while Smith delivered newspapers and sold coal he found along local railroad tracks. He also did farm work in the summertime, using some of his money for flying lessons. While he was serving in the Air Force, Smith roomed with Slade Gorton, a future United States Senator. Smith and Gorton became lifelong friends.

Evergreen Helicopters was the first of seven interrelated companies Smith founded and ran from his headquarters in McMinnville. By 1988, Evergreen had more than 2,300 employees worldwide. While his companies were producing over $460 million in annual revenue, they were also highly leveraged. Eventually, the complex relationships between Smith's various companies prompted an investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice. In 2014, Evergreen's headquarters buildings in McMinnville along with its remaining aircraft and other assets were offered for sale. In 1993, the National Defense Transportation Association honored him with its Man of the Year award for outstanding support during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Three years later, Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine recognized Smith with its L. Welch Pogue Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aviation.

Over the years, Smith was also recognized with the 2002 Horatio Alger Award, Lawrence Bell Memorial Award, and the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America. The Spruce Goose is still the museum's center piece. As of 2014, the museum was hosting 150,000 visitors per year.