Carlos Smith

Don Carlos Smith, 67 of Idaho Falls, died on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at home surrounded by family.



He was born on August 4, 1949 in Rexburg, Idaho to Howard Henry and LuDene Ward Smith. He was raised in St. Anthony where he received his education.

After graduating from South Fremont High School in 1967, he joined the United States Air Force. After he was honorably discharged due to health issues, he returned to St. Anthony and married his only true love, Ava Whittle. They were married for 17 years and raised five children together: Ricky, Jodi, Melanie, Todd, and Tara.



After completing heavy equipment training, Carlos made a living for his family as a union worker for the Operating Engineers running heavy equipment. He could do anything from start to finish. He was an expert scraper operator and concrete pumper. He worked on the following dams: Hells Canyon on the Idaho-Oregon border, Teton in Idaho, and the Olympia in Washington. He helped construct many freeways, highways, and roads throughout Idaho and Wyoming.



During his lifetime, he lived in the states of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming. After his divorce, he lived a few years in California. During that time, his younger children spent summers with him. He shared with them the long lines at Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Raging Waters, Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Universal Studios, the Wax Museum, Medieval Times, and the sunburns and the barbeques at the beaches of Southern California.



Carlos lived life strongly, with conviction, and a generous heart. Because of a lifetime of disabilities, he was often misunderstood, so he strived to understand those who walked a different path. Carlos had 27+ years of sobriety and dedicated those same years to serving others. He was active in Alcoholics Anonymous and spent those years visiting jails and prisons to help the inhabitants become free from the chains of alcohol addiction. Many people were grateful to him for his help in breaking the grip of alcoholism. Their testimonies of appreciation were shared with his family members. He believed in Jesus Christ and the power of prayer. He was a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He regularly put names on the Temple prayer rolls. He routinely watched Music and the Spoken Word.



Carlos loved his family, good music, good food (he was known for his delicious homemade noodles with chicken), good sweets (desserts, cookies, and candy, and always having a few Fireballs in his pocket), and Diet Coke. Carlos made the best divinity candy anyone ever tasted. He enjoyed playing chess, pool, pinochle, croquet, backgammon, and reading the newspaper. He enjoyed yard work: mowing lawns with a tractor, using a weed wacker and an edger; thus making a lawn look like a professional had just been there….yes, because a professional had just finished the job! The pay for that professional work: breakfast! He loved his beloved pet Schnauzers, each named Duchess.



When he returned to Idaho, he lived in St. Anthony for a few years. He had a motorcycle and really enjoyed riding it, but because of declining health, it was sold. He lived his final years in Idaho Falls and his final days at home in the care of hospice.


Carlos is survived by Children, Jodi, Melanie, Todd, and Tara; 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren; and siblings, Lionel Smith, Teresa Strom, and Jolene Holyoak. He was preceded in death by his dad and step-mother Howard and Roberta Reno Smith; his mom and step-dad LuDene and Clyde Loudy; his son, Ricky; and brothers, Rockey and Harlan.

Private graveside services were held on Friday, April 28, 2017 in the Parker Cemetery under the direction of Bert Flamm Mortuary.