Glenn Allen Smith

"Keep on Truckin"

POCATELLO -- Glenn Allen Smith, 86, passed away, Thursday, July 17, 2008 at his home in Pocatello, Idaho, after struggling with diabetes and cancer. His devoted wife, Coleen, and children surrounded him as his spirit returned to our Heavenly Father.

Glenn was born February 7, 1922 at Crystal (Rattlesnake), Idaho in their family home. He was the oldest of eight children born to Chester Sherman Smith and Arvilla May Blair. He grew up in the Arbon Valley until he moved to Lava Hot Springs where he attended high school, graduating with the Class of 1941.

Glenn was a veteran of World War II. He joined the Navy in 1943, attending boot camp at San Diego, California. He served in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged January 29, 1946.

While on leave from the Navy, Glenn returned home and married Coleen Bowles on November 29, 1945 in Pocatello, Idaho. They have been married for 62 years and are the parents of five children: Kathy, Tracey, Doug, Kurt and Rachelle. Near their 60th Anniversary, Glenn and Coleen and their children were sealed as a family on November 25, 2005 for time and all eternity in the LDS Idaho Falls Temple.

Glenn was a truck driver, by profession and had a "truckin" heart. He was passionate about his trade. In his early years, he had a variety of driving jobs with his own trucks. He was then employed by Consolidated Freightways for 30 years, during which time, he received an award for one million accident-free miles. He acquired many good friends in the trucking industry. He also owned numerous semi-trucks, leasing them out to major companies. He had an uncanny ability to listen to a car or truck and could tell that something was wrong with it. He was a "human GPS", being able to tell the exact mileage between locations.

The Smiths are avid campers. Their first venue into camping started at Island Park with Coleen's family, the Cossabooms and Grandma Bowles. The great love affair with camping truly began when they discovered Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth Mountains. They faithfully camped, water-skied, fished, hiked, and had lively Pinochle card games, making an all around wonderful time at Redfish for over fifty years. Memories of Redfish are etched upon the memories of four generations.

Glenn was a High Priest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has served as a Home Teacher, High Priest Quorum Secretary, and as Sunday School class president for many years.

Glenn is survived by his wife, Coleen; his five children: Kathleen (Gaylen) Farnsworth, South Jordan, Utah; Tracey Cannon, Salt Lake City, Utah; Douglas (Julie) Smith, Bountiful, Utah; Kurt (Deanna) Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho; and Rachelle (Patrick) O'Hara, Woodinville, Washington; his brother, Frank (Laurie) Smith, Berkeley, California; and two sisters: Berniece Florke, Malad, Idaho, and Catherine Neal, Livermore, California. He has eighteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Proceeding Glenn in death were his father and mother; three brothers: Alvin H. Smith, Earl G. Smith, and Morgan D. Smith; and one sister, Nancy L. (Smith) Harris.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Meadow Brook L.D.S. Chapel (300 E. Chapel St.) with Bishop Ramey Remington officiating. The family will receive friends today ,Friday, July 18, 2008 at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave. from 7 to 9 PM and on Saturday one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens with Military Rites provided by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard.