Charles Franklin Smith, 72; of Soda Springs formerly of Grace passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at the Caribou Memorial Hospital in Soda Springs after a long battle with cancer.
Charles was born the son of Rulen & Helen Thomas December 14, 1935 at Julesburg, Colorado. When he was four he was adopted by Paul and Anita Smith from Boulder, Colorado
He was raised in Colorado till 1952. He served 20 years in the Navy, serving in California, South Pacific, New York, Boston and the Caribbean. He spent most of the time on the U.S. Navy ships. He retired on May 15, 1972.
He spent three years in Los Angles, California before moving to Grace, Idaho and then to Soda Springs. He was a boiler technician and a mechanical engineer.
Charles married Sharon L. Moore Roberts on February 20, 1977 in Elko, Nevada. There marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple on November 19, 2005.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. He was a devoted veteran and proud to serve his country. He was a member of the American Legion and DAV Commander of Chapter 3 Pocatello, Vietnam Veterans of America, Life member FRA and VFW.
He had worked at Becker Ind. and J.R. Simplot for a short time.
He owned and operated Caribou Appliance Service in Grace for 20 years retiring in 1999 because of poor health. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Pocatello, Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard and the Grace Chamber of Commerce.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, wood working, and serving his fellow veterans.
He is survived by his wife Sharon of Soda Springs, father-in-law, Warren Moore of Soda Springs, ID; a step-son and two step-daughters, Loney Roberts of Las Vegas, Nevada; DeAnn and Troy Young of Grace, Idaho and Marie Anderson of Central Point, Oregon. Also surviving are 8 grandchildren and one great-grandson and two brothers and two sisters. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister and his parents Paul and Ania Smith and his adopted parents Ruel and Helen Thomas.
Services will be held on Monday, June 2, 2008 at the Grace LDS Stake Center at Noon. Family will meet with friends on Sunday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Sims Funeral Home and on Monday morning from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Church prior to services. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Soda Springs with military graveside services.
Family suggests donations be made to a Veterans organization.