Russell "Tut" E. Smedley

Russell E. "Tut" Smedley, 82, of La Grande died Thursday, January 6 at a local care facility.

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday January 8 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with Father Hank Albrecht celebrating.

Mr. Smedley was born Dec. 22, 1922, to Raleigh E. and Laura Melinda Smedley in Burley, Idaho. He graduated from Burley High school in 1942, and served in the Eighth Air Force during World War II as a flight engineer and turret gunner on a B-17, the "Happy Warrior".

On May 14, 1950, he married Mary Jane McCarthy in Burley.

He was a co-owner of the Kaiser-Frasier dealership and farmed in Buhl and Burley. In 1963 he began working for the Southern Idaho Production Credit Association, first as a field representative and later as manager of the Twin Falls office. He retired in 1985 and moved to La Grande, 2001.

He was a life member of the Burley Elks Lodge and the Veteran Motor Car of Magic Valley.

Survivors include his wife of La Grande; children and their spouses, Tim Smedley of Weiser, Patti and Dave Lachiondo of Boise, and Ginger and Scott Noble of La Grande; five grandchildren; and a brother, Jack Smedley of Salt Lake City.

A daughter, Terese "Teddy" Smedley, a brother, Raleigh "Bud" Smedley and a sister, Lorraine Sperry, died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the Bishop Kelly Foundation care of Bishop Kelly High School, 7009 Franklin Road, Boise, Idaho 83709.

A complete obituary will be published later.