John Smith

Celebration of Life: Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 1:00 pm at the Forsyth Country Club in Forsyth, MT

On September 27, 2010 John Henry Smith joined Helen Smith, his beloved wife of 57 years, in heaven. John died of natural causes at the age of 92.

John was born in Hardin, MT on January 8th, 1918 to Ira and Mabel Smith. After graduating from Hardin High School, John attended Missouri State Teachers College on a basketball scholarship. It was there that he met the love of his life. With the onset of World War II, John joined the army. While stationed in Kentucky, John and Helen were married on December 24th, 1943. After the war, John and Helen returned to Hardin, MT where John worked at the local hardware store. After a short stay in Hardin, John was transferred to the Forsyth store as Assistant Manager. Soon after John partnered with George Jensen to purchase the Elk Cafee and the Speedway Diner. A few years later John purchased the Joseph Cafe. John operated the cafe for more than 20 years, an eatery well known for its friendly atmosphere and hometown cooking.

When John retired in 1976, he became a S.C.O.R.E. volunteer for the Small Business Administration. John spent the next 20 years traveling with his wife and friends. John especially enjoyed visiting his sons family in Alaska. Throughout his life, John was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed sharing fishing stories with everyone. John was a member of the Al Bedoo Shriners, Masonic Lodge, American Legion, Ducks Unlimited and the Forsyth Country Club.

John was preceded in death by his wife Helen, his mother and father, Mabel and Ira Smith; his brother Willard and his sister Alice. John is survived by his son, Michael Smith and wife Carol of Fairbanks, AK; his granddaughter Jennifer Smith of Lakeview, WA; his grandson Robert Portmann of Spokane, WA and family friend, Wanda Dowlin of Forsyth, MT.In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the John Smith Memorial Fund, PO Box 25, Forsyth, MT 59327.

Johns warm handshake and glad to see you personality will be greatly missed.