Randall "Randy" Smith

Jerome- Randall BeVier  "Randy" Smith, 63, of Jerome passed away Thursday February 4, 2016, in Twin Falls,  after a short but courageous battle with cancer.  He was born on July 2, 1952, in Denver, Colorado, the son of John and Joan Smith, and was later joined by two sisters.

Although Randy grew up in Ohio, his heart belonged in the west and after graduating from Worthington High School he moved to Logan, Utah to attend Utah State University. While in college, Randy married Sheila O’Brien and together they had a daughter Stacey. They later divorced. Randy earned his Masters Degree in wildlife ecology in 1983, and in January 1984, began his dream job working for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Seven months later, while working on a joint project with the BLM, he met his life-long companion, best friend and future wife, Sharon LaBrecque. Randy and Sharon had two sons, Colin and Corey. Randy considered his three children the greatest thing that ever happened in his life. While his family misses him dearly, they have a lifetime of memories of family vacations, camping and road trips, and so many other great times they had together.

As a Biologist and Regional Wildlife Manager for Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Randy dedicated his life to managing and protecting Idaho’s wildlife.  Throughout his career, Randy was recognized for his calm professionalism and hard work, earning employee of the year twice, the Charles E. Harris Professional Wildlifer and Outstanding Administrator awards from The Wildlife Society, and the Robert L. Patterson award for contributions to sage-grouse conservation. Randy also was dedicated his time to mentoring numerous new biologists, and was known and respected for his efforts at restoring healthy native grouse populations.  After 30 years, Randy retired in 2014.  During his 30 year career, Randy made countless friends and he will be dearly missed by his Fish and Game family.

In addition to hunting and fishing, Randy was a lover of music and during the last few years of his life picked up his old guitar. He spent many a weekend strumming guitar with three dear friends. These very special friends spent several hours in the hospital with him, playing and singing many of his favorite songs and while his eyes may have been closed, he definitely knew they were there for him.

Randy is survived by his mother, Joan Smith, his sisters, Sharon (Tom) Brock and Kathie (Mal) Moore, his daughter Stacey (Mark) Lau, his sons Colin and Corey Smith, and three grandchildren, Ethan, Gavin and Ashlynn Lau. At his request, there will be no memorial service for Randy and instead his family and members of his Fish and Game family will spread his ashes in locations that hold special memories for them.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Randy’s name to the Idaho non-game wildlife fund, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707.  Arrangements are under the care of Farnsworth Mortuary of Jerome.