Leo Verdon Smith passed away peacefully December 30th, 2017 in the CLC at Boise VA Medical Center surrounded by family. All that knew him will miss his sense of humor, creativity, and love of life. He was born February 18, 1931 in Boise ID to Lester and Louise (Jacobs) Smith. He was raised in Nampa by an extended family including his Aunt and Uncle, Jessie and Pete Moore and Grandmother for the majority of his childhood.  He attended Nampa High School until enlisting in the Navy in 1948. Leo received a medical discharge in 1949 and returned to Nampa to join the graduating class of 1950. Shortly after graduating, he married Caroline Watson from Marsing, ID. They had three children; Dan (June) Smith from Buckeye AZ, Jerry (Cindy) Smith from Eagle, ID and Carol (Scott) Clark from Star, ID.  Leo and Caroline divorced in 1968 and he married Jane (Jan) E Yenke in 1970.  She preceded him in death in 2003. They embraced each other’s family and he was a good father to Bobbie Frazier from Kennewick WA, and Jeanne Connelly from Nampa ID, and grandfather to their children. He married for a short time in his later years, and he became a father to Darlyne Henke as well. Leo worked for the Dept of Agriculture for ten years, Albert Dickinson Seed Company as an accountant for twelve years and then opened his own accounting business until 1982 when he went to work for Home Federal where he retired in 1993. Dad loved anything outdoors and working with his hands. He always had so many hobbies and so little time!   He loved fishing, archery, golf, raising homing pigeons and riding motorcycles.  He was very talented with leather tooling and woodworking projects. Dad always had a warm smile and big hug for all of us. In his early days, he was a member of The Nampa Elks, Nampa Bow Chiefs, and enjoyed going to the Nampa Senior Center when able. Two brothers, two sisters, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many who love him, survive Leo.

Our family would also like to thank the Boise VA Medical Center, Long Term Care and Hospice Care teams for the amazing love and concern he received. We feel so fortunate and thankful to all of the caregivers.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Nampa Senior Center, 207 Constitution Way, Nampa, ID 83686 or give to any of the Veteran’s programs of your choice.

Service will be held at Idaho State Veteran’s Cemetery with Military honors Jan 11th, 2018 at 11am.

 Service Information