George Richard Smack

Feb. 27, 1940 - Apr. 24, 2026

Date of Service: May 5, 2026

TWIN FALLS – George Richard Smack, beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and friend, passed away, at age 86, on Friday, April 24, 2026, after a life marked by faith, devotion, music, and deep love for family.

He was born February 27, 1940, in Dillon, Montana, the only child of George Riley Smack and Esther Adeline Roberts Smack. His early years in Pocatello, Idaho, were filled with simple joys—camping in the hills, swimming in City Creek, riding sleds down Whitman Hill, and playing neighborhood games until dusk. Even as a boy, his love of music began to emerge, nurtured by parents who sacrificed to provide voice lessons and opportunities to sing.

As a young man, Richard moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, where he formed lifelong friendships and developed a deep love for the outdoors—hunting, fishing, branding and driving cattle on the Diamond A Ranch just outside of Jarbidge, Nevada, with the Barton family who welcomed him as their own. These experiences helped shape his character and remained among his most cherished memories throughout his life.

He attended Brigham Young University, where he pursued music and sang in the A Cappella Choir and Male Chorus. It was there he made a defining decision—not to pursue a professional singing career, but instead to dedicate his life to teaching, family, and faith.

On July 14,1961, Richard married his sweetheart, Rita Larsen, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Their marriage was a partnership of love, faith, and mutual devotion that spanned over six decades. Together they built a home centered on family, service, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Richard’s life’s work was teaching choral music in the Twin Falls School District, where he taught for 31 years. He inspired generations of students, many of whom went on to become musicians and teachers themselves. His choirs performed for U.S. presidents, traveled internationally, and consistently achieved excellence. He cherished the relationships he built with his students above all, and the opportunity to shape their lives through music.

He and Rita raised six children, Shelley, Ti, Amy, Ted, Jennifer, and Kate, creating a home filled with music, hard work, laughter, and faith. Family life included camping trips, ranch adventures, waffle breakfasts at Twin Falls Park and shared experiences that built strong bonds and lasting memories. They were later blessed with grandchildren and had great joy in watching their family continue in faith and love.

After retiring from teaching in 1999, Richard continued to live a life of creativity, passion, and purpose. He created thoughtful personalized cards for family and friends—small but meaningful expressions of his enduring love. He wrote western poetry, researched and collected poetry and literature of the American west. He taught himself photography and photographed the west and the lands he loved.

Richard served faithfully in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life. In his later years, he and Rita served as missionaries in the Twin Falls Family History Center, helping others discover their family lineage and strengthening families across generations.

Richard was sustained as Bishop of the Twin Falls Seventh Ward in 2008, and served until 2012, at which time he was sustained as the Patriarch of the Twin Falls East Stake. He truly enjoyed serving as both a bishop and patriarch; just as he had as a teacher, he loved working with the youth. He was pulled in a wagon on the Trek to Martin’s Cove, told stories at Girls’ Camp, and loved meeting with and getting to know individuals and families in their homes. As a patriarch, he prayerfully prepared for each blessing and was conscientious about the atmosphere in his home when people came to receive a blessing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Riley and Esther Adeline Roberts Smack; one daughter, Shelley Smack Nelson; and one great-granddaughter, Rylee Rae Nelson. He is survived by his wife, Rita Larsen Smack; his children and their spouses, Brad Nelson, Ti and Jevonne Smack, Amy Ellsworth and Mike Lynch, Ted and Julie Smack, Jennifer and Paul Burnier, Kate and Brian Charlesworth; 29 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Richard will be remembered for his gentle nature, quiet strength, deep faith, and unwavering love for his family. His life was a beautiful composition—one of devotion, service, and music—and its melody will continue to echo in the lives of all who knew him.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Twin Falls Idaho East Stake Center, located at 2085 S. Temple Drive, in Twin Falls, where family and friends will be received from 5 until 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 4, and from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral service on Tuesday. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/v1hCwhHLkLw.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.