Carter Smith

RUPERT – Carter Benson Smith, 71, passed away from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident south of Jackpot, Nev., on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, where he was traveling on one of his many adventures with his best buddy, Rod.

Carter was born on July 11, 1942, to Vernal and Myrtle “Babe” Smith in Tacoma, Washington. His family later moved to Boise, Idaho, where he attended Borah High School and met the love of his life, Linda Lee Norris. Carter and Linda married in Boise on June 10, 1961. They were blessed with three children, Kurt Smith, Paula Goodsell, and Arlin Smith.

Carter served in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1965. He was a member of the American Legion, a leader in the Boy Scouts of America, the Lions Club, Elks, and the Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue. He worked for the State of Idaho Highway Department, Redi-to-Pour Concrete and, Morrison-Knudsen helping to build the Hells Canyon Dam in Hells Canyon, Idaho. In 1973, Carter moved his family to Rupert, Idaho, to help his dad and step-mom operate Smitty’s A&W Drive-In, which he later took it over and renamed “Smitty’s.” Smitty’s became an essential part of the Rupert community for some 40 years.

After retiring from being an owner/operator of Smitty’s, Carter decided that retirement was way too boring so he took on the task of becoming a school bus driver for the Minidoka County School District where he was set for retirement on Sept. 1, 2013.

Carter enjoyed the finer things in life – hunting, fishing, backpacking, motorcycle riding (in his younger years), hunting for rocks, sightseeing in the south hills with his very dear friend, Rod Butterworth, jeep riding with his family on the desert, having his morning coffee with his coffee buddies, and playing pinochle or any other card game with his family. Most of all, Carter enjoyed having his family together and being able to watch the loves of his life, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren laugh and play. There was never a dull moment or a time Carter did not smile when his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were around. One of Carter’s most wonderful recent memories was Christmas 2009 when the “entire” family invaded “Papa” Carter’s space.

Carter was preceded in death by his father; mother; stepmother; and grandparents. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Linda Smith; his three children, Kurt Smith (Cori Hedges Smith), Paula Goodsell (Dan Bywater) and Arlin Smith (Tani); eight grandchildren, Keith (Kayla), Emily (Ben), Nickol (Sean), Grace (Logan), Kayleigh (Kyle), Kyle, Ryleigh and Landrie; and eight great-grandchildren whom he loved dearly. He was also loved and he loved numerous dear friends, relatives, and his employees of Smitty’s – the “Girls.”

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley. Military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization. Burial will be in Cloverdale Memorial Park in Boise.