John Martin Smathers

John Martin Smathers, went to heaven on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, at the age of 82. He was a wonderful husband, exceptional father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend to many.

He was born on June 28, 1941, in North Vancouver. B.C., Canada; John was a twin. Of course, John arrived first. If you knew John you know he was always “Johnny on the spot,” always arriving on time, if not early, to everything throughout his life. Later the family moved to Nezperce.

In school John was quite the athlete. He was offered a basketball scholarship upon graduation. John decided to go into the U.S. Air Force instead, which took him to the United Kingdom.

John met and married Veronica Footer. After honorably serving in the USAF, they moved to Lewiston to start their family.

John was always an ethical man and hard worker. He later worked as a firefighter in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, then went on to get his CDL.

His true passion was driving big trucks for Harvest, Zirbel Transport and then URM, where he received many safety awards and later retired.

John loved life, people, he never knew a stranger and was always willing to help anyone. He enjoyed golfing, playing cards, the outdoors, traveling in his motorhome, visiting his relatives in Canada and hanging out with his friends especially his best friends Nolene and Butch Banks. Wherever those two were, John was as well. He loved spending time at their cabin in Elk City.

Wherever John went he was the life of the party. He had a contagious sense of humor and was always a favorite with the younger crowd as he valued staying fit and young at heart.

John enjoyed his later years in Yuma, Ariz., participating in the community such as parades, meeting his wife Kay, and spending quality time with her and Kebbi. Although he didn’t have any pets and claimed to not care for them much, the neighbor dog would wag happily as John handed out a daily treat. His grand-cat Maxwell was allowed to sit in his chair and we would catch dad having the cat on his lap.

John is survived by his wife: Kay Smathers of Yuma; daughters: Susan Evans (Justin) of Newport, Wash., Kally Reno (Brett) of Lewiston, Kebbie Brush of Show Low, Ariz.; and son Michael. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Jonathon Smathers (Shyanne), Austin Evans of Spokane, Nathan Evans (Jade) of Deer Park, Wash., Sebastian Smathers of Clarkston, and seven great-grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his parents John and Mary; twin sister Mary Jeanne Prine, and brothers Calvin and Ted, and bonus-granddaughter Holley Brown. “10-4” to a selfless man — until we see him again.

There will be a remembrance Cinco De Mayo gathering from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in Lewiston, at Riverquest Excursions at the Hells Gate Marina, 4832 Hells Gate Road, Lewiston. A taco bar will be provided and non-alcoholic beverages served. Feel free to BYOB along with your stories and memories of John.

Memorial donations are suggested to: Shriners (calamshriners.com) or St. Jude Children’s Hospital (stjude.org/donate) in John’s name, two charities that were close to his huge heart.