- Date Of Birth: December 9, 1914
- Date Of Death: January 29, 2010
- State: Idaho
Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Rex Ford Smith, passed away at his Boise home of natural causes on January 29, 2010, at the age of 95. Ford was born in Teton, Idaho, on December 9, 1914, to Henry Rex Smith and Malta Lorene Huff. At the age of 7, the Smith family moved to Driggs, Idaho, where Ford grew up with his younger brother and sisters, Russell, Georgia, and Jeanie. He graduated from Teton High School in 1932. After attending ISU for a short time and earning a teaching certificate, Ford started a music and teaching career that would end up influencing hundreds of students and many generations all over Idaho.
Ford married Leola Christiansen of Driggs, Idaho, on June 30, 1938, and they both taught for three years in a country school in Cedron, Idaho, where Ford taught every subject and started a music program. They moved to Boise briefly and enjoyed the birth of their first daughter, Carolyn, before they moved to Nampa, Idaho, where Ford taught at Lakeview Elementary and Central Junior High for four years. Their second daughter, Joan, was born while the family was in Nampa, and shortly after her birth, Ford and Leola moved to Weiser, Idaho. Weiser became home for the Smith family. Ford taught band and choir at Weiser High School for 22 years while working on his Bachelors Degree.
Ford Smith is survived by his wife, Mary Choules Smith of Boise; daughter, Leola Joan Hill of Boise; son-in-law, Peter Bates of St. Anthony; three stepsons, David (Lani) Harper, John Harper (Evelyn), and Gary Harper; grandchildren, Linda Reichert (Chris) of Boise, JeNeale Gunnell (Brent) of Caldwell, ID, Kathy Lamb (Kevin) of Vernal, UT, Jay Hill (Lauralee) of Rindge, NH, Jim Bates of St. Anthony, Cash Hill (Marisa) of Nampa, Jared Hill (Maren) of Bellevue, Matthew Bates (Tangee) of St. Anthony; 8 step-grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; many beloved brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Leola Christiansen Smith; daughter, Carolyn Rae Bates; son-in-law, Larry D. Hill; step-son, Kent Harper; grandson, Rex Hill; great-granddaughter, London Hill; sisters, Georgia Bowles and Betty Joan Smith; brother, Russell Smith; many beloved brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, and dear friends.
