Edward Smith Jr.

Edward Orval “Edzo” Smith Jr., 39, died Sept. 21, 2020.

He was born Dec. 15, 1980, in Williston, N.D., to Eddy O. Sr. and Connie Smith. He attended school in Poplar and graduated in May 2000.

He was an avid basketball fan. Sadly, his Osteogenesis Imperfecta prevented him from playing, so he settled for watching his beloved Boston Celtics alongside his Grandma Bette. They were rabid Larry Bird fans. He also called his Grandma Louise to tell her when they played as she enjoyed watching them also. He and his dad were loyal Patriots fans and they would enjoy the games together.

When he was in junior high and in a wheelchair, he entered a half-court shot contest during a high school basketball game and made the shot! The whole gym stood up and cheered him.

One year, he met Moose Lambert and they were in a wheelchair basketball game together. They were good friends after that and Moose would share memorabilia, gifting Eddy with a Larry Bird plaque.

When he was younger and still able to walk, he enjoyed fishing and family time at the river. He enjoyed the times when Elmer would come down and do his fish frys.

He was a kind and gentle soul and never got mad or said a bad word about anyone. This is a testament to his many friends who always stopped in to visit.

He was preceded in death by his father, Eddy O. Sr.

He is survived by his mother, Connie Smith; brother, Dustin Sr.; sister, Carrie Pribbernou; and grandmother, Louise Smith.

A graveside service was held Monday, Sept. 28, at Smith Family Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.