Jerry Lane Smith

Jerry Lane Smith, 81, of Irwin, passed away July 28, 2020, at his home due to complications of Parkinson’s. 

Jerry was born December 20, 1938, in Alturas, California, to James Lewis Smith and Gladys Jeanette Smith. He grew up in Alturas and graduated from high school there. He went on to attend college in Chico, California.

Jerry later moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, and on June 12, 1998, he married Naoma Bennett. Jerry and Naoma made their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Jerry worked as a Owner & Operator for Lindsay Truck & Towing. In 2011, he was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was sealed to Naoma in the Idaho Falls Temple on October 1, 2019.

Jerry was well-traveled and worked and lived in many places. He was a Jack of All Trades and enjoyed restoring old cars and motorcycles. After saving to buy a motorhome and quitting their jobs, he was able to tour the United States for two years with his first wife, Dorothy Pickering Smith, working odd jobs when they ran out of money. Throughout his life, his favorite places were Carlsbad Caverns, Craters of the Moon, and the Galveston area, where he was a security guard and did a lot of fishing and shrimping. He settled in Idaho Falls for the balance of his life where he had many good friends and family. Jerry always said he loved Idaho Falls because “all the stoplights were friendly.” 

Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Naoma; children of Dorothy, Craig A. Pickering (Tanya) (Vicki Mecham, first wife) of Idaho Falls, ID; Bradley J. Pickering (JoAnn Clayton) of Idaho Falls, ID; grandchildren, Tiffany Eden, Melissa Monsen, Brandi Jo Smith, Suzanne Pickering, Bobbi Lyn Browning, Wyatt Pickering, Cordell Pickering, Zack Pickering, and Tyler Pickering; children of Naoma, Christopher Dean Stephenson (Amanda)of Philipsburg, MT, Nathan Stanley Stephenson of Stanley, ND, Elizabeth Marie Stephenson of Billings, MT, Thomas Shane Stephenson (Spring)of Billings, MT; step daughter-in-law, Jenny Stephenson of Anthem, AZ; a sister, Virginia Lee Little of Florida; a brother, Clifton Dale Little of California; Naoma’s eight siblings, Paula Smith of UT, Willie Mitch (Duane) of OK, Veneda Bruner (Jim) of UT, Norma Heinecke (Gary) of AZ, Calvin W. Bennett (Tami) of UT, Donald Kay Bennett (Terri) of UT, Robert Jay Bennett (LuAnn) of UT, Gordon Bennett (Darshan) of UT, and numerous nieces and nephews; 24 grandchildren, Shilo Scott Rannings, Corey Ronald Stephenson, Kayla Marie Stephenson, Isaac James Stephenson, Ethan Cole Stephenson, Kaidrick Payton Stephenson, Kaedynce Leann-Marie Stephenson, Heather Jovay Harding, Whitney Catherine Stephenson, Jackalyn Elise Anderson, Jordan Dee McDonald, Jerri Anne McDonald, Kiara Alissa Shay Stephenson, Alexis Lynne Stephenson, Chase Timothy Stephenson, Aspen Jozette Stephenson, Trynity Starr Ikeda, James Eugene Ikeda, Destiney Michelle Willis, Donshay King Townsend, Bayleigh Lynn Page, Brooke Aeveree Page, Braedyn Everett Page and Blake Ruger Sanderson; and 27 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Debbie Smith; step-father, Leo Lewis Little; granddaughter, Jessica Pickering; sister, Joan Marie Smith Williams; brother-in-law, David Williams; brother, Floyd Carl Little; brother-in-law, Ernie Wager; father-in-law, Wilford Bennett; stepsons, Ronald Corey Stephenson (Stephanie, deceased), Patrick Aaron Stephenson (Cathy, deceased) and Timothy David Stephenson; stepdaughter-in-law, Sonia; and a grandson, Xavier LaMar Willis. 

A private service for family and friends will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August, 1, 2020, at Palisades RV Park & Cabins, 3804 Swan Valley Highway, Irwin, Idaho. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hands of Hope Hospice.