Richard Herbert 'Dick' Smith

July 28, 1930 - January 15, 2024

In Loving Memory ~

Richard Herbert (Dick) Smith was born on July 28th, 1930 at Fort St. James (FSJ) BC. He passed away quietly in his home on January 15th, 2024, at the age of 93. He was the middle child of Harold and Katherine Smith.

He is predeceased by his wife and sweetheart Mavis, older Brother Craig and his younger sister Helen.

Dick leaves a legacy behind to his four children and their spouses: Terry and Mary, Kathy and Gordon, Richard and Margaret, and David and Ellen; 17 Grandchildren and 38 Great Grand Children.

He grew up in Fort St James attending a 2-room schoolhouse, feeding pets, chickens, a cow, cutting wood and working in a large half-acre family garden. He played sports including track and field, softball, fastball, and hockey. But most of his leisure time was spent hunting and fishing.

In his late teens, he became a big game and fishing guide for their family hunting and fishing lodge on Stuart Lake covering Stuart, Trembleur and Takla Lakes.

Following High School and Grade 13 Senior Matriculation, he worked in his father's bus business after the family moved to Prince George, where they grew the business, and he eventually took over the management and operations.

After selling the family bus business, he continued on as Regional Manager of Canadian Coachways for B.C., Alaska and the Yukon.

In 1970 Dick and Mavis moved to Salmon Arm where they partnered with Ernie and Laura Arsenault in the purchase and operating of the Salmon Arm Motor Hotel for many years. He also partnered with 3 others from Kelowna in establishing Harmony Homes in the house construction industry and he partnered with Denis Marshall in forming Tekamar Mortgages in Salmon Arm.

He served for many years on the town council as a councillor and Mayor of Salmon Arm. He served as a Rotarian for most of this business years and he served others in the area as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He continued to manage his investments up into his mid-80s.

Dick was devoted to his family, spending countless hours with his children and grandchildren and often their friends, hunting, fishing, skiing, camping, and enjoying recreational activities at their summer cabin on Shuswap Lake.

Dick will be remembered for his service to family, friends, church, and community. He has lived a life of service and devotion to whatever responsibilities he has accepted.

A celebration of life will be held to his memory at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at 10 am on Saturday, January 20th.

To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.bowersfuneralservice.com