Frederick Leigh Smith

Frederick Leigh Smith, 80, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer on February 24, 2025, in Pocatello, Idaho.

Frederick (Fred) Leigh Smith was born on February 21, 1945, in Mount Kisco, New York to Joseph and Ruth Smith. Fred and his older sisters, Marcia and Joan, enjoyed their childhood years in Coxsackie, New York and fun summers vacationing at the beach in Kennebunkport, Maine. Fred attended Peekskill Military Academy in Peekskill, New York where he participated in a variety of sports, but his favorite was always lacrosse. In 1963, after graduating from military high school, Fred felt the call to serve his country and joined the United States Marine Corps. Fred was proud that he had volunteered to go to Vietnam and earned many medals for his service including a Purple Heart for battle wounds received on April 16, 1966. After a year-long recovery at St. Alban’s Naval Hospital in New York, he made the trek westward and landed in Portales, New Mexico at Eastern New Mexico University. In, his senior year at Eastern, he sat next to Marie Nethery in an accounting class and promptly fell in love. They were married on November 25, 1971 shortly before Fred graduated with a BBA in Marketing. Ultimately, the newly-weds settled in American Falls, Idaho where Marie had grown up and had family. In July 1972, they welcomed their son, Jon, and in January 1977, they welcomed a daughter, Julie. Later that year, Fred and Marie moved their young family to Pocatello where they stayed. Fred had a variety jobs over the years in Pocatello, but his favorite was at Sears where he ran the automotive sales department.

 Fred was a loyal American veteran and hero who was always proud to be a Marine. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus-4th degree, and was a life-loyal Sigma Chi.

Fred grabbed any opportunity to travel including road trips and camping in the many trailers they owned. He was game to go just about anywhere, but New Mexico was always a special place to him. He enjoyed buying and trading guns and knives and later sharing his knives with his children and grandchildren. Fred was a putterer and enjoyed working on cars. He was known in his family “Pop who can fix anything.” Most important to Fred were his children and grandchildren who called him “Pop.” He supported everything his family was involved in including innumerable sporting events and recitals and helping to prepare for weekly Bible Study. Fred was happy to help whenever the kids, grandkids, parents and other family members needed it including opening his home to them over and over again. He spent many hours volunteering wherever needed, especially at Holy Spirit Catholic School. He truly exemplified the Marine Corp motto of Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful) where his family and friends were involved.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Marcia. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marie Smith of Pocatello, his son Jon Smith (Anna Lisa) of Evanston, Wyoming, his daughter Julie Weick (Eric) of Pocatello, his sister Joan Broderick (Bob) of Vero Beach, Florida, and his grandchildren, Payton Osiensky (Christopher), Gabrielle Weick, Lauren Smith, Ryann Smith, and Nicholas Weick.

The family wants to give special thanks to Natalie at Happy to Help and both Heather and Sabrina at Enhabit Home Health and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, Fred would have appreciated your donations to Holy Spirit Catholic School in Pocatello. 

Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at St. Anthony’s Holy Spirit Catholic Church (524 N 7th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83201) at 10:00 a.m. Inurnment will directly follow at Mountain View Cemetery (1520 S 5th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83205).

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