Edward Smith

A peaceful man filled with kindness toward others has passed from us. Edward R. "Ted" Smith, a longtime resident of Twin Falls and beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, departed this life at his home Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. Ted was born in Pocatello, Idaho, on Oct. 23, 1917, to Leigh V. and Mary Smith. His family moved to Boise, where he attended Boise High School and met his lifetime sweetheart, Jennie Mae Coppock. Ted attended the University of Idaho, graduating with a civil engineering degree in 1941. As a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, he met Ben Mottern, his roommate, future brother-in-law, and lifelong business partner and friend. Ted married Jennie in 1941 and during, World War II, he was employed as an engineer by North American Aviation in Los Angeles, where he worked on the Mitchel B-25 bomber and the P-51 fighter aircraft and as a lieutenant in the U.S. Public Health Service in Georgia where he was assigned to malaria control. After the war, Ted and Jennie returned to Idaho and traveled to Twin Falls with Ben and Thelma Mottern (Jennie's sister) to search for a business to purchase. They found a small restaurant on Main Street, which they bought and managed for a short while. They sold the restaurant and moved to the Rogerson Hotel, where they established a restaurant, lounge and banquet facility which they managed from 1946 to 1976. The Rogerson Restaurant was the hub of the community for 30 years. Everyone knew Ted and Ben, and they made a great success of the business. They could often be found in the back booth doing paperwork between serving coffee and cleaning tables. After closing the Rogerson, Ted enjoyed a second career as a real estate agent and broker with Western Realty and Coldwell Banker of Twin Falls. Ted was the senior member of the Twin Falls Rotary Club, which he joined in 1961. He was a strong believer in contributing to his community, and did so through active participation in Rotary projects. He was also a charter member of the Blue Lakes Country Club, a member of the American Legion, and he served on the Twin Falls School Board for two terms. Never quick to judge and always considerate, Ted was a kind and selfless man, and he never forgot a face or a name. He will be remembered for his service to those around him, his patient and gentle nature, and his love of the outdoors. If Ted had any regrets, it was that he didn't do more fly fishing with his son, Ed. Ted tied his own flies and would always give a soft whistle when he had a fish on the line. He is survived by his dear and loving wife of 68 years, Jennie; his son, Edward S. "Ed" (Phuong) Smith of Filer; his daughter, Monie L. Smith (Michael Johnson) of Jerome; and his sister, Valeria Shaw of Las Vegas, Nev. Ted is also survived by three grandchildren, Hank (Leigh) Smith of Clarksville, Tenn., Shelley (Jed) Gregory of Pinedale, Wyo., and Helen (Ian) LaSpina of Jacksonville, Fla.; and four great-grandchildren. Ted's extended family includes Christine Mottern of Twin Falls, Jim (Jane) Mottern of Irvine, Calif., Janis (Ken) Mottern-High of Twin Falls, Jerry (Nitnoi) Mottern of Twin Falls and Joni Mottern of Twin Falls. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Holly Anne Smith; and his twin sister, Mary Louise Dunn of Eagle. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11, at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road in Twin Falls. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Smith-Hackney Scholarship Fund, College of Southern Idaho Foundation, P.O. Box 1238, Twin Falls, ID 83303, would be appreciated.