Steven W. Smart

Steven Wayne Smart, 60, of Driggs, Idaho, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family March 25, 2010. He was born Nov. 28, 1949, in Hayward, Calif., to J.D. Smart and Connie Smart. He was raised and attended schools in Hayward until 1968 when he entered the U.S. Army. He served in the military from 1968 to 1970 in Vietnam, where he was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he decided to take an adventurous hitchhiking trip with a buddy and traveled around the West and Oklahoma. He later met the love of his life, Janet Linnea Holgers, from Oakland, Calif., and they married in 1976. Steve attended California State University Humboldt, where he received a degree in range management. After college, Steve and his wife moved to St. Anthony, Idaho, where he was hired by the Soil Conservation Service, becoming a soil conservationist. Shortly after, he was hired as District Conservationist for the Teton Soil Conservation Service in Driggs, Idaho. He worked in Driggs for 11 years. A promotion in 1991 led him to the High Country RC&D in Rexburg, Idaho, where he became a rural conservation and development coordinator. Steve was actively involved in many important projects benefiting Teton Valley and many other counties. He loved his job and was celebrated by many for his devotion to his work. He retired in January 2010. Steve was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. He touched many lives and was an inspiration to many. Steve was a skilled musician and loved playing music with many local bands, notably with Boni-Jello. He is survived by his wife, Janet Linnea Holgers of Driggs; his children, Neil (Sarah) Smart of Paducah, Ky., Hailey Smart of Greeley, Colo.; mother, Connie Smart of Oroville, Calif., brother, Robert (Cheryl) Smart of Lakeport, Calif.; sister, Karen Spano of Oroville, Calif., and Barbara (Rory) Armanino of Lakeport, Calif. He was preceded in death by his father, J.D. Smart of Oroville. A memorial service will be held in his honor at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at the River Rim Ranch in Tetonia, Idaho. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Arrangements are under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.