Preston Smith, 29

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Preston Lee Smith, 29, of Mountain Home, died March 15, 2006, at a Boise hospital.

Services were held Monday, March 20, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.

A memorial fund has been established at US Bank.

Preston was born in Mountain Home on Jan. 31, 1977, to Hugh Burdette and Juanita Smith. He continued to live in the Mountain Home and Grand View area until 1998, when he married Jennifer Clark in Utah. The new family returned to Grand View where he worked at Simplot Livestock Company under the supervision of Dick Crockett.

"Preston gained much respect and admiration because of his ability to get in and get the job done while being a friend to everyone he came in contact with," his family said.

Preston was blessed in 2000, with the birth of his daughter, Tiana Jo Smith, and in 2002 with his son, Michael Hugh Burdette Smith.

In 2005, Preston moved his family to Kennewick, Wash., where he achieved his "journeyman" tree trimmer accreditation.

"Preston was best known for being a hard worker, loyal friend, and loving brother and son," his family said. "Preston Lee was always willing to give you the shirt off of his back and to lend a helping hand where ever he saw the need. He looked forward to and enjoyed the yearly 'beer camp' outing with his brothers."

Preston is survived by: his wife, Jennifer Smith; two children, T.T. and Mikey; his mother, Juanita Smith-Mattson and her husband, Les; brothers Roy B. and his wife, Lori Smith, Lance W. and his wife, Georgiana Smith, Arlyn K. and his wife, Shelly Smith, Scott C. and his wife, Sarah Smith, Joe L. and his wife, Ronda Laca-Smith; one sister, S. Amanda and her husband, Jeremiah Snoey-Holladay; paternal grandparents Hugh and Oleta Smith, and several uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Hugh Burdette Smith, and maternal grandparents Wilford and Edna Williams.