Paul M. Smith, 91, of Hibbard, Idaho, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of faith, devotion, and adventure. Born on December 29, 1933, in Tremonton, Utah, to James S. and Rebecca K. Smith, Paul was the seventh of thirteen children. His 91 years were a testament to his unwavering commitment to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his 66-year marriage to Rhea, and his passion for family and the outdoors.

Paul's childhood in Tremonton was a vibrant blend of rural simplicity and youthful mischief. Growing up in a bustling household, he learned resourcefulness early, crafting scooters from roller skate wheels and orange crates, and building rubber-band guns from tree branches and old tire tubes. His early memories were vivid: at three or four, he lost the tip of his left thumb when a screen door slammed as he chased his father out the back door. On a family camping trip to Yellowstone Park, he stood face-to-face with a bull moose by Yellowstone Lake, backing away with a racing heart. Another time, fishing with his father below Fishing Bridge, Paul watched as his dad reeled in a cutthroat trout trailing a spoon lure—a keepsake Paul believed he still had. These experiences sparked a lifelong love for nature and fishing that defined his leisure time.

Paul's mischievous streak led to memorable escapades. At six, determined to see a movie despite his mother's refusal, he snuck into the Tremonton theater, prompting a citywide search when his parents couldn't find him. Sirens blared as neighbors feared he'd wandered to the Malad River, until his mother's hunch led them to the theater, where they stopped the film to find Paul asleep near the front. With his brother Orlin, he hunted sparrows nesting in neighborhood eaves, shining a flashlight while Orlin aimed a BB gun. One prank involved knocking on neighbors' doors after dark, only to face the city policeman at home. These stories  capture Paul's spirited youth.

A pivotal moment came around age 17, driving home from Ogden in his 1939 Chevrolet. Dozing at the wheel, Paul drifted into a curb in Brigham City, blowing out the right front tire and bending the tie rod. Crawling under the car to straighten the tie rod, he ignored an initial prompting—almost a voice—urging him to place the spare tire under the hub. Continuing his work, the impression returned, more insistent. This time, Paul complied, positioning the tire under the hub. Moments later, the jack failed, and the car collapsed. The spare tire held it up, saving Paul from being crushed. Reflecting on this, he wrote, "The fact that I am alive today is evidence that there are beings in the unseen world looking after our welfare." This experience deepened his faith, affirming his life's divine purpose.

Faith was the cornerstone of Paul's life. Baptized at eight into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served diligently in the Aaronic Priesthood, passing the sacrament as a deacon, preparing it as a teacher, and baptizing siblings Julia Ann, Emma Lee, and Boyd as a priest. At 20, he answered a call to serve a mission in the Union of South Africa, including North and South Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe and Zambia). Departing in 1954, Paul traveled by train and ship, marveling at stops in New York, London, and Cape Town. In Durban, he served alongside his brother Thomas, later laboring in Pietermaritzburg, Brakpan, and Johannesburg. Despite having two bicycles stolen, Paul's mission was transformative, marked by adventures like touring Kruger National Park and a meeting with President David O. McKay, who recognized his gift of discernment. His mission journals capture a young man devoted to sharing the gospel, a commitment that endured throughout his life.

Returning home, Paul was drafted and served in Korea as a maintenance clerk, chauffeuring officers, including General White, and assisting the Church's mission efforts. He purchased a Noritake china set and an Omega watch, treasures he used for decades. Back in Utah, he enrolled at Utah State University, studying Industrial and Technical Education with a focus on welding technology. Working at his father's Smith's Garage, he became a state vehicle inspector, despite the occasional stench of beet pulp trucks. His mechanical skills led to jobs at Tooele Ordinance Depot, rebuilding military vehicles, and Hill Air Force Base, electroplating aircraft fasteners.

In September 1959, a blind date arranged by his brother Theral changed Paul's life. He met Rhea, who worked at Thiokol. Their first dance sparked an immediate connection, and Paul knew she was his eternal companion. They married in the Salt Lake Temple, beginning a 66-year partnership filled with love and resilience. Settling in Logan, they welcomed their first son, Roy, in 1960. Paul's career as a welding engineer took them to Magna, Utah, as an industrial engineer, and to Palmdale, California, as a research engineer on the B-70 aircraft. Their family grew with Claine in 1963, Karl in 1968, and Greg in 1972.  Paul's determination led to roles in Canoga Park, Sunnyvale, and Fair Oaks, working on rocket engines, ballistic missiles, and nuclear components. In 1977, they settled in Lindon, Utah, where Paul joined Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel, traveling to nuclear plants to ensure quality assurance. A final move to Hibbard, Idaho, in 1984 saw him at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory until his retirement in 2000.

The outdoors was Paul's sanctuary. He fished at Henry's Lake, camped in Yosemite, and navigated fishing waters with his sons, often with humorous mishaps  Paul cherished time with his grandchildren.

Paul and Rhea's service as ordinance workers in the Idaho Falls and Rexburg Temples was a highlight of their later years. They formed deep friendships and found peace in sacred work. Paul served faithfully in numerous church callings, unbeknownst to many he was a Scoutmaster which helped him raise three Eagle Scouts. Despite heart attacks in 2010, he faced challenges with courage, supported by Rhea and his family. His testimony, forged through experiences like the car incident, remained unshakable. He wrote, "The special experiences that I have had testify to me that there is no doubt in my mind that [the Church] is true."

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rhea; sons Roy (Maria) Anchorage Alaska, Karl (Linda) Reno Nevada, and Greg (Elizabeth) Grantsville Utah; 12 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren. Paul was predeceased by his beloved son Claine. His final years were filled with family, fishing, and faith. Paul's greatest desire was for his family to be sealed eternally.

Funeral services will be held at the Hibbard LDS Chapel on May 27, 2025, at 11:00 am visitation will be held prior to service from 10:00 am - 10:45 am. Paul's legacy of kindness, faith, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew him, as we envision him fishing in celestial waters.

Service will be broadcast at: https://my.gather.app/remember/paul-smith-may-2025