John Stanley Smith, 70

John Stanley Smith was born Feb. 17, 1950, in Bozeman, to John Arthur “Jack” Smith and Helen Louise Carter Smith.

He passed away at home on Swan Lake, Jan. 25, 2021, from COVID-19 pneumonia at the age of 70.

John grew up on a ranch in Bigfork until the family moved to Kalispell when he was 8 years old. He graduated in 1968 from Flathead High School. College education included two years at Whitworth College; he then transferred to Montana State University for his last two years, graduating in 1972 with a degree in fish and wildlife management. Later he attended Arizona State University and graduated with a second degree in construction engineering.

John was known for his exceptional intelligence, often reading a novel a day. He was always independent and adventurous (and a touch mischievous). He loved the outdoors, hunting in the Bob Marshall and working as a fishing guide in Gardner, rafting rivers and water skiing on Swan Lake. He could do anything from building a truck to building a house. He lived life his own way and retired to Swan Lake at the age of 50 after a successful career in residential and commercial construction in Bozeman and Scottsdale, Arizona.

He was an amazing son, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend. He was preceded in death by his father Jack, grandparents Arthur and Elizabeth Smith, and James and Alice Carter.

John leaves behind a number of loved ones, including his wife Linda Walden Smith, daughter Kelsey Ann Smith, and his mother Helen Smith. He will always be “Big Brother” to Susan E. Smith, Sarah Smith Klassen (Ray) and Mary Kate Smith, and “Uncle Johnny” to Lauren Ortega (Eric), Michael Klassen, Stephen Haines and Meghan Klassen. He also has a great-niece, Sydney Haines, and great-nephews Carter, Conrad and William Ortega.

There will be a family celebration of John’s life this summer at Swan Lake.