Wayne Morgan Smith

Wayne Morgan Smith, 93 of Ammon, formerly of Dubois, passed away August 22, 2012, one month shy of his 72nd wedding anniversary, with his family who loved him dearly, at his side. He was born February 25, 1919 to J Lorin and Jenny Lucile Morgan Smith in Lyman. He was raised and attended schools in the Rigby area, graduating from Rigby High School in 1938. He met the love of his life, Mavis Ada Hadley at her 8th grade graduation. He was the water boy for the “after party” and danced with her that night. He enlisted in the National Guard at the age of 15 and was mobilized in 1940. The night before he left, Mavis asked if she could go with him, they were married the next day; September 21, 1940. He was sent to Fort Lewis in Olympia, Washington, and earned $42 a month. At the beginning of World War II he was sent to New Guinea in the Pacific Theater, he served as a member of the 116th Engineer Battalion Company F. and was honorably discharged in 1945. Wayne and Mavis spent ten years together before adopting their beautiful baby girl Vicki in 1950; then along came Judy, Bruce, Lauri and JoLene about every two to three years thereafter. They lived Rigby and Wayne worked as a mail carrier until 1960. He then had an opportunity to purchase an insurance agency in Dubois; it was a great move and their children were all raised there. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions, one being Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He was in charge of the Christmas programs for many years and once accidentally stated that the wise men brought gifts to the Christ child of gold, “Frankenstein” and myrrh; many have enjoyed that story. He was a very kind and courteous and treated everyone with great respect. He enjoyed his family and traveling. They had a motor home for many years and loved to camp with the family and travel to different parts of the United States. He and Mavis spent their winters in Mesa, Arizona. Wayne is survived by his wife, Mavis Ada Smith, who was his best friend; children Judy (Barry) Hoopes, of Pocatello, Bruce (Grace) Smith, of Terreton, Lauri (Terry) Leonardson, Jolene (Frank) Eckersell, both of Idaho Falls brother, Doyle (Gerry) Smith of Rigby, 21 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Vicki (Tom) Gauchay, his parents, a brother, Jay and sisters, Shirley and Belva Smith who all died in childhood. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the Beaver Creek LDS Chapel in Dubois. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Dubois cemetery, under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.