Jerome Smith

Jerome “Jerry” Smith, 70, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, at Benefis Medical Center in Great Falls of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.  Entombment of his cremated remains will be held at a later date in Fort Harrison Veterans’ Cemetery.  The family has requested that memorials be made in Jerry’s name to the Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation, the Lion’s Club International or to the charity of the donor’s choice.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements, and you can leave your memories/condolences for the family online at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Jerry was born to Joseph and Marie (Savage) Smith on Oct. 28, 1942, in Livingston, Mont. He graduated from Park High School and joined the Air Force. After his time in the service ended, he attended Montana State University, where he majored in English and theater arts. There he met Diana Feltmann when she got a part in a play where he was a stage manager. They were married on Aug. 25, 1967. During his college years and beyond, he embraced his love of the theater by acting, both in college and in community theater. He was a loyal Bobcat fan. Diana saw that she chose correctly when she picked Ruth’s Song “Wither Thou Goest, I Will Go” for their wedding, as they lived in Michigan, Minnesota, Idaho and Montana. He worked at a variety of jobs from English teacher to bar owner before starting a career in law enforcement, going from a part-time jailer to Probation and Parole Officer II for the Montana Department of Corrections.

He was proud to be a member of the Havre Lions Club where the motto is “We Serve.” He held various offices in the local club and in the state, including district governor, and he was named a Melvin Jones Fellow.

He enjoyed reading, fishing, camping, flying RC airplanes, and spending winters in Arizona. Jerry loved jazz and '40s and '50s music, even though he couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. He got his sense of humor from his mom. He was a great storyteller, especially his adventures with his high school buddies. He loved to tease, especially his wife, daughters and beloved grandchildren.

Jerry loved and was so proud of his two daughters who have master’s degrees in their chosen fields and are wonderful wives and mothers.

He was preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Marie Smith, and his nephew, Philip Wolter.

Jerry is survived by wife, Diana Smith of Havre; his daughters, Sarah (Mark) Erickson of New Brighton, Minn., and Jessica (Jay) McDuffie of Wilsall, Mont .; his grandchildren, Nicholas, Matthew, and Brianna Erickson and Danner and Lydia McDuffie; his sister Barbara (Mike) Bretch of Livingston, Mont .; his brother, Martin (Supalak) Smith of Las Cruces, N.M .; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.