Maurice Smith, 71, of Libby

Maurice L. Smith (Smitty), 71, passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.  

He was the oldest of Robert and Margaret (Ames) Smith, born on Nov. 9, 1942,  in Pocatello, Idaho.

Smitty enlisted in the military in 1960, retiring in 1980 after serving 20 years, four years in the U.S. Air Force and 16 years in the U.S. Navy.  

He returned to Pocatello earning a degree from Idaho State University as well as certificates in electric technology and auto mechanics.  

In 1984, he moved his family to Moscow, Idaho,  where he worked for various auto dealers. He had his own auto repair shop for a short time.  

The love of fishing brought him to Libby in 2004 where he became known for making custom fishing poles for family and friends.  

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Smith.

Survivors include his wife, Dahlia; children, Maurice (Sheryl) L. Smith, II, of Spirit Lake, Idaho,  John (Ponrat) K. Smith of Spokane Valley, Wash., Elizabeth Smith of Alvarado, Texas; step-children, Tania Smith of Pasadena, Calif., Christie (Michael) Leissring of Pocatello, Idaho, Jack (Octavia) Ansley of Colorado Springs, Colo., Wendy Parker of Madera, Calif.; and 12 grandchildren; his mother, Margaret Smith McMahen of Pocatello, Idaho; brothers, RC (Judy)  Smith of Toole, Utah; Monty (Phyllis) Smith of Thompson Falls; sisters, Maxine (Daniel) Remirez, May (Jim) Epling; Mary (Jack) Sanders of Belgrade, Linda (Terry) Quinn of Belgrade, Julie (Wayne) Martin of Pocatello, Idaho;  and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, at Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.

Memorials may be made to the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department, 209 Health Park Drive, Libby, Mont., 59923 in memory of Smitty.