Dustin W. Smith, age 52, passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2024, in Malad, Idaho.

Dustin was born in Malad, Idaho on November 30, 1971, a son of Wendell and Pamila Smith.  He was the first of three children. He was wanted, desired, and prayed for, for many years to come into Wendell and Pam’s home. Pam would often say, “we prayed you here,” which began a lifelong close relationship between Dustin and his mother.

Dustin’s early years were spent working on the ranch with his dad and brother, fishing, hunting, riding horses, snowmobiling, gathering wood, playing football and baseball, performing in plays, and playing the piano. He earned his Eagle Scout Award and always talked highly of the many scouting and young men’s leaders that guided him along the way. 

In high school, Dustin was known as the life of the party, someone with a witty sense of humor, and a friend to all. He loved serving in many high school student council positions. Playing on the high school football team with his “buddies” were some of the highlights of his life and stories he often shared. Dustin graduated from Malad High School in 1990 after finishing his senior year having been a football captain and serving as the Student Body President.

After high school, he served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Stockholm, Sweden Mission. Dustin always spoke about his mission with fondness. It was evident that his mission experiences shaped the rest of his life and made him into the man, teacher, leader, and friend that we know and love. Dustin enjoyed continuing his missionary efforts by teaching and training missionaries and mission leaders at the Missionary Training Center in Provo while attending college. Seeing his two oldest children also serve full-time missions brought him great excitement and reminded him of the wonderful experiences he had serving as a missionary. 

Dustin received his bachelor’s degree in history from Brigham Young University in 1995. Dustin was a die-hard BYU fan. He bled Cougar Blue. He always referred to Provo as “happy valley” and loved every moment of his time as a BYU Cougar. Dustin instilled his undying love for BYU and BYU Football in his children and loved attending sporting events with them and visiting his children who followed in his footsteps and attended college at BYU.

On May 30th, 1997, he married Christine Crowther in the Logan, Utah Temple. Following their marriage, Dustin and Christine moved to Moscow, Idaho in order for Dustin to pursue a law degree. After graduating from the University of Idaho Law School, they made their home in Soda Springs, Idaho.  

In 2005, Dustin and his family returned to live in Malad and enjoyed being close to old friends as well as family. They made their home and raised four children here: MaCall (24), Landon (23), Raegan (19), and Paisley (16). Dustin’s greatest joys were his family. They enjoyed many trips to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the family cabin in Island Park, and Disneyland. Dustin loved to take the kids on drives to get a drink (Mtn. Dew was his drink of choice), and then driving up a canyon to play in the creek or carve their names in a tree. 

Over the past 20 years, Dustin spent his weekdays working as the Oneida County Prosecutor, Malad City Attorney, and finally as an Employment Law Civil Attorney for Hill Air Force Base. On the weekends, Dustin could be found taking his children fishing, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, or working in his yard. Dustin followed his children to many football, basketball, softball, and volleyball games. He also spent his fair share of time attending Distinguished Young Women Competitions. He loved to hear his children play the piano, guitar, and trumpet. Hearing his children sing and play the piano together brought him great joy and made him extremely proud. 

Dustin spent much of his life dedicated in service to others. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in various church callings including the Sunday School, Malad Young Single Adult Branch, Bishopric, Young Men’s President, Stake High Council, and Elders Quorum President. Dustin instilled in his children a love of visiting those who may be lonely or in need. Dustin and Christine also frequently shared their musical talents around the Malad Valley. They were known for their beautiful piano-organ duets. Most importantly, he was valiant in his testimony of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His
Restored Gospel. 

Dustin is survived by his wife, Christine, of Malad; four children, MaCall, Landon, Raegan, and Paisley, brother Jedd Smith and father Wendell Smith.

Dustin was preceded in death by a stillborn brother, Jared, and his mother, Pamila. Dustin never forgot about his mother, visiting her grave regularly with flowers and deep emotion, including her and her memory in every aspect of his family’s life. He eagerly anticipated a sweet reunion with loved ones on the other side of the veil, and was received with open, loving arms by his mother, whom he loved dearly.

A viewing was held at the Malad Stake Center on Tuesday, August 13 from 6-8 p.m., and on Wednesday August 14th from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Funeral services followed at noon on Wednesday, August 14.