Richard King Smith

TWIN FALLS – Richard “Dick” King Smith, a 95-year-old resident of Twin Falls, and formerly of Burley, passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, March 10, 2024, with his wife, daughter and grandchildren by his side.

Born January 5, 1929, he was the second son and fifth child born to James and Myrtle Smith. A snowstorm forced a change of venue for Dick’s entrance into the world and he was born at home in Blackfoot, Idaho. This set the stage for a life of embracing challenge with good humor. Witnessing the Great Depression and Second World War during childhood etched Dick with a resilience. While many men, including his brother Russ, were away at war, he filled the breach at the family creamery and car dealership. He was driving the butter trucks by fourteen and the gas and oil trucks by sixteen.

In 1946, he graduated high school and moved to Moscow to attend the University of Idaho. As a freshman, Dick lost his father. In his senior year, despite being a distinguished military student, he was disqualified from the ROTC corps of cadets due to his eyesight. He persevered and earned an economics degree in 1950 and dreamed of traveling. His dreams came true when he was chosen to work on an international student project in France and embarked on a European odyssey.

The war in Korea changed his course and, upon returning, he found himself drafted. Dick had planned to enlist and was relieved to squint his way through the physical. He deployed to Korea. En route to his first action during a midnight blizzard, he leapt from the transport, and a fellow soldier leapt right on top of him. Dick’s glasses were broken, but fortunately, he also brought prescription sunglasses. So, in his recollection, he “entered the unit looking either very cool or queer as a two-dollar bill, sporting dark glasses in the pitch-black night”. Dick fought through a brutal war and was recommended for a field commission, an honor he graciously declined before, being honorably discharged.

Back home in Blackfoot, Dick considered joining his brother and cousins in running Blackfoot Motor, but decided instead to attend the College of Law at the University of Idaho. There he met and fell in love with Jan Morgan and they decided to marry and “pursue a career over seas.” They married in August 1954, and Dick dropped out of law school and headed to Berkeley where with the help of Jan’s salary as a teacher, his part-time job, and the GI bill, Dick completed an MA in Economics at Berkeley. After graduation he contemplated a job in southeast Asia, but decided instead to return to University of Idaho to complete law school.

After law school, Dick and Jan settled in Burley, Idaho, where they raised two children, Nancy and Rick. Despite the ebb and flow of life, they continued to prioritize travel, finding balance between family and Dick's career. Dick built a thriving law practice with his partners and passionately advocated for justice as a trial lawyer, prosecuting attorney, and city attorney during his 65 years as a licensed attorney. In addition, he served his community volunteering as a Rotarian, a Mason, and a Shriner.

Tragedy struck from 1981 through 1986 with the deaths of Dick’s son Rick; his wife’s father, Les Morgan; his wife, Jan; and his mother, Myrtle. Dick was devastated but he persevered, and he was rewarded when he met Miriam (McVey) Allred while he was on a ski trip in Ketchum in 1986.

Dick and Miriam were married in Ketchum in June 1987. Together they have enjoyed decades of shared joy, conversations, and world travel. They have lived on the banks of the Snake River providing a loving foundation for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dick enjoyed close friendships with Scott Sherman, Don Westfall, and his long-term law partners Bill Parsons and Randy Stone.

Dick is survived by his wife, Miriam Smith; daughter, Nancy (Jasen) Beste; grandchildren, Rick (Tess) Actis, Jeremy Actis, Jason Actis, Rob (Emily) Allred, Jolie (Joe) Ferin, Megan (Meghan) Markham; and great-grandchildren, Ethan Actis, Quinn Actis, Laynee Ferin, plus two great-grandbabies due to arrive this summer. Dick was preceded in death by his son, Rick; wife, Jan; siblings, Russ (Mary Louise) Smith, Grace “Kit” (Keith) Elison, Mary Alice (Carson) Hubbard, and Nancy (Scott) Sherman; and parents, James King Smith and Myrtle Smith.

Dick embodied Kipling's "If" (his favorite poem). He modeled the strength to "keep your head when all about you are losing theirs" and the wisdom to "meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same." Dick, you are the standard for a Kipling Man: “Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.”

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 East 16th Street, in Burley, with Lance Loveland officiating. Military Rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Group.

A reception will follow from 1-3 p.m. at Morey’s Steakhouse, located at 219 E 3rd N, in Burley. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your favorite charity.

A Video Tribute is available at the following link: https://youtu.be/1TAtKsyv5wI.