Clifton J. Smith

Clifton Smith died peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, at the Idaho State Veterans Home at Lewiston. He was born Dec. 10, 1922, in Orofino, to John and Eupha Whitworth Smith during the decade of American history known as "the Roaring '20s."

Cliff was 5 years old in 1927 when Charles A. Lindbergh made the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Early on, Cliff dreamed of becoming an aircraft mechanic. The family moved to Lewiston for a year before relocating to their permanent home in Winchester in 1927. A highlight of his early life was a family trip to Chicago in their 1935 Chevrolet. "I saw many interesting sights that will live in my memory forever," Dad recorded.

At 14, Dad's first car was a Model T Ford Coupe and the first thing he did was overhaul it. While in high school, Dad participated in basketball, football, drama class and he played trumpet in the school band, graduating in 1941. He then attended AERO Industries Technical Institute in California and completed a course in aircraft assembly. He worked for a time for Lockheed Aircraft Co. rigging tails on aircrafts - a dream come true.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Dec. 10, 1942, and spent 21 months in the European theater as a mechanic with the 613th Ordnance Base Armored Maintenance Battalion. Dad's boyhood experience with his father's automotive garage served himself and his country well.

On Sept. 24, 1946, Cliff married Loretta Lorentz in Cottonwood. The couple lived in Winchester and Lewiston before settling permanently in Grangeville by 1950, where Dad was employed at a car dealership, International Harvester dealership and at Ida Pine Sawmill, which later became Wicks Forest Industries, where he retired.

Loretta died on Oct. 20, 1987. Dad was remarried to Dolores Erne and this marriage ended in divorce.

Cliff and Loretta were blessed with six children. Ronnie, the oldest son, was killed in a car accident in 1964. Surviving children and grandchildren are Jim Smith and wife Patti (Josh and Whitney), Bob Smith (Shannon, Nathan and Brandon), Janet Thompson and Tim (Jason, Jennifer and Jackson), Karen Smith (Holly and Michaela), Rhonda Kirk and Michael (Landon, Cameron and RaeAnn). Cliff had 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Buford Smith of Payette, Idaho.

Cremation has already taken place. A private family gravesite interment in Grangeville will take place at a later date.

Dad's service to his country was very important to him. Thank a veteran in his memory.