Dr. James Maxwell Smylie

James Maxwell Smiley

James Maxwell Smiley D. V.M., 82, a retired doctor of Veterinary Medicine, died Friday, Dec. 8, 2000 of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and his wife Iris Irene Idol Smiley, 89, died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000, of chronic heart disease at their daughter's home in Fort Worth, Tex.

Eucharist of Christian Burial was held December 12 at St. Peter and St. Paul Episcopal Church, Arlington. The Rev. Thomas Hightower and the Rev. Vance Page, officiants. Entombment took place at the Columbarium of St. Peter and St. Paul Episcopal Church.

Memorials may be sent to VITAS Hospice; or St. Peter and St. Paul Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Smylie was born October 21, 1911, in Stanberry, Mo. She had a Civil Service Rating of Senior Secretary. She worked four years in New York City as a legal secretary and in the Extension Service at Colorado A&M, now known as Colorado State University.

Dr. Smylie was born August 5, 1918, in Sterling, Colo. He graduated from Colorado A&M. now known as Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1942. He married Iris Irene Idol of Meeker, Colo., in May of 1942 and practiced veterinary medicine in Steamboat Springs, Colo., from 1942-45; in Delta, Colo., from 1945-52; and in Absarokee, Mont., from 1952-1956. He then worked in the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis eradication program for the Federal Government in Escalon, Calif., from 1956-57 and in Fallon, Nev. from 1957-60. He resumed private practice in Lusk, Wyo., in 1960 and retired from there in 1987. After retirement they resided in Grand Junction, Colo., Torrington, Wyo., and Point Frontier in Cheyenne, Wyo., prior to moving to their daughter's home in Fort Worth.

Dr. Smylie was a Life Member of the American Veterinary medical Association and was a member of the Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming Veterinary Medical Associations. He was president of the Wyoming Veterinary Medical Association in 1969-70. He was a member of the Elks; of the Masonic Order, Blue Lodge, and the Order of Eastern Star and was Worthy Patron several times. He was a Rainbow Dad and a sponsor for Job's Daughters. He served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Stockman's National Bank in Lusk, Wyo. for 17 years. He was a 4-H leader while living in Montana. His leisure time was spent working with horses, calf and steer roping, and raising and breeding cutting horses. One of his favorite horses, used for stud, was Mr. Doc's Pleasure, a double "Doc Bar" bred horse.

Mrs. Smylie was a Life Member of the American Veterinary Medical Auxiliary Association and was a member of the Wyoming Veterinary Medical Auxiliary Association and Vice President for one term. She was a life member of the Rebekah's and the Order of the Eastern Star and was a past Worthy Matron. She was a 4-H sewing leader in Montana and a member of various local clubs in Lusk, Wyo.; the Woman's Club, Cowbells, Hospital Volunteer and the Library Association.

They were members of the Congregational (United Church of Christ) Church in Lusk, Wyo. 27 years.

Survivors include two daughters, The Rev. Lana Smylie Farley, and her husband, Roy of Fort Worth, Tex. and Margretta Smylie Perry, and her husband, The Rev. Lawrence Perry, of Everett, Wash.; grandchildren, Scott Sanford Farley, and his wife, Victoria, of Fort Worth, Jennifer Farley Lieberman, and her husband, Craig of Ladera Ranch, Calif., Anthony James Perry, and Alejandrina Peres Blyth, and her husband, John, all of Laramie, Wyo.; great granddaughters, Meghan Rachelle Wyatt and Brittany Victoria Elizabeth Farley; brothers, Frank Smylie and his wife, Pat of Wellington, Colo.; Donald Smylie, D.V.M., of Douglas, Wyo.; sisters, Jean Smylie Short of Baggs, Wyo., Katherine Smylie Moore, and her husband Merwin, of Casper, Wyo.; sister-in-law, Lana Idol, of Meeker, Colo.; and 14 nieces and nephews.

Dr. Smylie was preceded in death by his parents, James Maxwell Smylie IV, and Margaret Hilderman Smylie; and infant sister, Margaret; a brother-in-law, Elmer Short; and a sister-in-law Mary Smylie.

Mrs. Smylie was preceded in death by her parents, Barnett Lee Idol and Nellie Shisler Idol; two brothers, Loren Idol and an infant, Lester; and a foster sister, Joanna Van Oken Caldwell and her husband, Clifford.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records