James Arlie Smith, 65, husband of Angela Wiseman Smith of Fruitland, ID, passed away Saturday Dec. 1, 2018 at home surrounded by his family. Born November 19, 1953 in Ukiah, CA, James was the third born son of William Richard Smith and Sibyl Rosalee Laramore Smith.
In 1956, his family moved to Tamarack, ID where James attended Meadows Valley School in New Meadows until his senior year where he graduated from Council High School. He excelled in football, basketball and track. He set records in track and football. Notably in 1970, he set the state scoring record in football with 41 touchdowns totaling a record of 342 points in just 10 games. His 41st touchdown came in the team’s state championship win against Carey High School in Carey, ID in which he left early in the game due to an ankle injury.
James was an avid outdoorsman, spending as much time as possible in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho with his family. He was a hunter and a gatherer who would hike miles in some of the roughest terrain in search of elk, deer, moose and a good fishing spot. He was especially fond of hunting for huckleberries and could make the best huckleberry pie.
James was a hard worker and from a very early age of 12 learned how to handle a power saw and his love for being outdoors was merged with a way of life. Though logging brought him great happiness, he switched careers in 1994 to become a mechanic and eventually retired from working on buses for Boise Urban Stages of Boise, ID.
James met his wife Angela Wiseman, and they were married in 2001. They just celebrated 17 years in June of this year. James has 2 daughters and 1 son from his previous marriage to Tina Prickett Barton and 2 stepsons with Angela. He cherished every moment with his 8 grandchildren and 2 “grand” dogs as well as many nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his loving wife Angela of Fruitland, ID, mother Sibyl Smith of Fruitland, ID, brother Johnny Richard Smith (Patti) of New Meadows, ID, brother Robert Michael Smith (Connie) of Boise, ID, brother Randy Lee Smith (Terri) of New Meadows, ID, brother Martin Gregory Smith (Vikki) of New Meadows, ID, his daughter Kassie Soldano (David) of San Angelo, TX, daughter Jamie McLeod (Jason) of Payette, ID, son Tyler Smith (Leah) of New Plymouth, ID, stepson Nick Allen of Boise, ID, and stepson Shawn Allen (Amanda) of Payette, ID, and his grandchildren Andi, Leah, Sierra, Rylee, Hayden, Blake, Abigail and Beckett. He was preceded in death by his father William Richard Smith, niece Idella Lee Suzanne Keys, nephew Jeramy Johnny Ray Smith.
The family invites you to join them in celebrating his life, Saturday December 8, 2018 at the Payette Church of the Nazarene, 1980 7th Ave N, Payette, Idaho at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials and tributes be made to the American Alzheimer’s Association online at www.alz.org or by mail Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Condolences may be made to James’ family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.
