Homecoming is the perfect day to announce our next 2024 Bonners Ferry Badger Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Badger fan, Ron Smith, born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1938. He lived in Newark, New Jersey, for 10 years from ages 2-12, before moving back to Bowling Green.
Ron joined the United States Air Force at the age of 17. He started at Lackland AFB in Texas, then moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, before ending up at Fairchild Air Force base in Spokane, where he served for three years.
During his time in Spokane, he met a young lady, Evelyn Hittle, who was attending Kinman Business University. Three months after meeting, they were married at her parents’ home in Bonners Ferry. One year later, their first child, Pam, was born. Upon discharge from the Air Force, the family moved to Bowling Green, where a second daughter, Lorie, and a son, Ronnie, were born.
The next nine years were spent in Kentucky working for the Bowling Green Police Force and the county jail. A move to Roanoke, Virginia, saw the next nine years in the restaurant business, first, working for his brother and then in his own restaurant.
In 1979, the decision was made to move to Idaho to be closer to Evelyn’s family, the Hittles and the Bransons.
Life in Bonners Ferry turned out to be more difficult than anticipated as far as finding work. He started working for the school district as a classroom aide and was in Carolyn Hunt’s first grade class at Northside School. He had decided that it might be time to head back to Virginia, but as he was leaving school that day the secretary asked if he had any law enforcement experience. She said the new jail that had just been completed was looking for jailers. Ron was told in church that God has a plan for everyone, and 45 years later they are still here.
He served six years as county sheriff, 16 years as county commissioner, and is on his 3rd term on Bonners Ferry city council. He can only believe that this was his plan.
Ron has always loved sports. He coached little league in Bowling Green. When he moved to Bonners Ferry, he coached girls’ soccer. He then spent several years coaching girls’ softball. To say he is obsessed with Badger athletics is an understatement. He attends all home games, and though he doesn’t travel like he used to, he still attends many away games. He seldom misses a state tournament.
He was known for hosting team dinners at his home in the past, as well as, making sure he collected funds for team dinners at state tournaments. He buys concessions for students and athletes of all ages. It is an honor to be called “Mr. Badger,” a title given to him by Dan Meeker as he introduced him when he spoke at high school graduation. As much as he loves Badger athletics, he wants to be clear that all athletes are students first and he wants them all to strive to be the best students.
He has had the pleasure of watching his son, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play Badger sports … with many more to come. Ron and Evelyn have three children, 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. A blessed legacy indeed.