Stanton Everett Smith, Jr., 71

Stanton Everett Smith, Jr., 71, passed on March 20, 2009, at the family home in Bigfork, with his cherished family at his side. He had a valiant eight-month fight with lung cancer.

He was a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., and graduated from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a degree in accounting, and became a C.P.A.

He retired as an audit partner in the international accounting firm of BDO Seidman in their Beverly Hills, Calif., office. He finished his career in forensic accounting, testifying as an expert witness in national level trials. He helped start some of the accounting reforms that are now coming to fruition, such as mark to market valuations.

Stan and his wife, Lanelle, moved to Bigfork in 1998 to be near their beloved grandchildren.

Surviving is his wife of 49 years, Lanelle; their son, Stanton E. Smith III, of Atlanta; daughter, Elizabeth Lea Siblerud, and her husband, Paul, and their children, Rachel, Jeremy and Leah, of Kalispell; also, brothers, Steve and his wife, Chris, of Raleigh, N.C., and Luke Lea and his wife, Pat, of Chattanooga; and sister, Jenny Smith, and her husband, Mark, of San Francisco, and their families.

A celebration of Stan's life will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 23, at the Community United Methodist Church in Bigfork, with a reception afterward at the church.

Cremation has taken place. A private family burial will be in C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell.

The family requests no flowers. If you wish, memorial contributions may be made to Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901; or your favorite charity.