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Emmett Joseph Smith, 2008

Updated Feb 11, 2024
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Emmett Joseph Smith, 2008
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Emmett Joseph Smith
Emmett "Smitty" Smith ran the Milltown Dam for 19 years and retired from it, prior to that he worked for Montana Power and prior to that he was in the USN Coast Guard. Emmett Joseph "Smitty" Smith, at the young age of 91 died 24 December 2012 following a massive stroke which occurred early Friday morning. He was the first of three children born to Ralph & Elizebeth Smith of Lewistown, MT. Emmett attended St. Leo's Catholic school as a child and graduated from Fergus County High. He was born 6 March 1921 and raised in Lewistown and loved everything about the area. Dad had the great honor of growing up with 3 very special friends that he had for life. Jerry Bourke, Rad Pratt & Elmer Morgan, however, Elmer was lost during the war. Anyone who ever met Dad had a great respect for the man and his honorable ways. During WWII he joined the Coast Guard and served his time mostly in the Cape Disappointment, Astoria & Columbia River, W ashington area. He use to ride a bike or hitch-hike from Longview, Washington to the Seattle area just to visit with his future wife of 67 years as she worked for Boeing at the time. Dad was known for his love of flowers and ability to grow just about anything. Especially orchids. He met Mom in High School and she volunteered to help take care of his hydroponic class assignment. It has also been said that they met at the roller skating rink and had been going around in circles ever since. Probably more to that story than can be imagined. Emmett Joseph Smith married Mary Louise Bell in Seattle, Washington on 9 June 1943. While in Lewistown, Dad was a Commander in the American Legion for a time and also served in the Drum and Bugle Corp. Mom was in the Women's Drill team and they both partook in many, many conventions and parades. There were many grand times held at the Fish Hatchery with the American Legion. He also had worked at both of the nurseries in Lewistown before moving with his family to work at what is now Caras Nursery in Missoula. From there he went to work for the Montana Power out at the Milltown Dam. This job turned out to be the one he loved most. If he wasn't fishing trout from the river, it was juniper logs being brought out of the waters. He loved working with that wood to make several beautiful tables and all sorts of furniture. He retired from the company after spending nearly 19 years as the “Dam Smitty” operator. There are memories from the “Dam”, enough for everyone. Dad was preceded in death by both his parents of Lewistown, His only son Ronald Smith of Missoula, son-in-laws, Larry Smith, Riley Boyer, Ruben Sayler; friends Jerry & Rad. And his wife Mary Louise of 67 years. His two siblings still survive him, Thomas Smith (Marilyn) of Arlington, WA. And Betty Jane (Wayne) Neel, Spokane, WA. His six daughters: Dawn (Elmer) Stanley, Missoula; Patty Sayler, Alberton; Vinette (James) Rupp, Missoula; Margaret Buck, Wisdom; Susan (Raymond) Jensen, Missoula; Joyce “Pix” Boyer, Alberton. And a special “daughter” Arlyn (Ira/Butch) Kopelman of Blanchard, ID. Numerous Grand, Great and Great-Great grandchildren and nieces and nephews, too many to name. Dad loved the outdoors, mountains, fishing, drives, Montana as a whole. He never missed an opportunity to go for a ride, smell the fresh air, kick a rock or get a cold drink of water from a mountain stream. The smell of fresh flowers, wild or otherwise or the smell of fresh sage. The PIP (“pretty important people” from the power company) gatherings were a real joy for him to attend. Another thing he loved was the chance to get your last Nickel from you! Playing cards was a big thing around the Smith household. I'll be willing to bet that he has enough change in his “money bags” to cover his final expenses were his wishes. As Susan has so brilliantly put it, “God got himself a great gardener”. We all love you so much, Dad. The Chalice of Repose with St. Pats Hospital is a worthy place for any contributions or considerations. Per Dad's request there will be no service at this time. Mom & Dad's ashes will be scattered together at a proper time in the near future. We are all blessed for knowing this very special and unique man. Some of their asshes have been scattered up Petty Creek with their son Ron and some will be placed out at the old dam, what is now considered the Milltown State Park Overlook ( ) The hopeful story of the Milltown Dam removal and rivers' return offers an opportunity to explore America's changing relationship to the land as well as the benefits that river restoration yields for Montana's families and communities. For more information, explore the story map , A Confluence of Stories– an interactive, multi-media narrative–chronicling the natural and cultural history at Milltown State Park. fe897f189cbc097083c audio interview of the Milltown Dam
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