Rinaldo Francis "Smokie" Denison Jr.

Rinaldo Francis "Smokie" Denison Jr., 79, of Ammon, Idaho, passed at his daughter's home in Cookeville, Tenn., on Thursday, May 12, 2011.

He was born Oct. 3, 1931, in Shelby, Mont., to Rinaldo Sr. and Nellie Denison. He attended Shelby High School and graduated in 1949. He attended one year at BYU.

On March 11, 1952, he married Twila Jean Jenson, the love of his life, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Smokie's family rejoices that he can now be reunited with his sweetheart for all eternity.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serv-ed in various church positions including home teacher, bishop, High Priest group leader and temple worker. Smokie and Twila served four missions for the LDS church in Nairobi, Kenya; Atlanta, Ga.; Manila Temple, Philippines; and the Provo Missionary Training Center.

Smokie enjoyed swimming, running, reading, golf and skiing and was an avid high school sports supporter. He was a merchandiser in the grain businesses throughout most of his life.

Smokie is survived by his daughter, Laurie (Richard) Cook of Ririe, Idaho; children, Neil (Kris) Denison of Herriman, Utah, Colleen (Jim) Mobley of Cookeville, Tenn., Debra (Brad) Lemmon of Chubbuck, Idaho, Carol (Ken) Milburn of Bonney Lake, Wash., and Steve (Shelley) Denison of Orange, Calif.; 26 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a sister and a grandson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 20, at the Ammon 23rd LDS Ward building, 4030 John Adams Parkway in Ammon, with Bishop Chad Murdock officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. in Idaho Falls, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Internment will take place in Rexburg Cemetery, in Rexburg, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the LDS Humanitarian Fund through the contributor's own ward.

Condolences may be sent to the family and a map to the church may be found online at www.coltrinmortuary.com.