Dr. Silas Raynor Smith died on May 18, in Meridian, Idaho, following a long illness. A memorial celebration of his life will take place at 1 p.m. June 9 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church with Rev. David W. Wettstein officiating.
Raynor was born June 14, 1918, in Harvard, Ill. He grew up in India, where his parents were missionaries with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Returning to Oregon when he was 13 years old, Raynor lived in Tillamook and Tigard, graduating from high school in 1935. Raynor received his B.A. from Willamette University in 1939 and his Master of Divinity from Boston University in 1942.
In 1943 Raynor became a Chaplain with the U.S. Army in Germany for two years. Raynor then received his Ph.D. in 1955 from the University of Southern California, where he also served as a Methodist minister. Raynor returned to the Northwest, continuing his ministry with churches in Centralia, Tacoma, Bothell, Spokane, Wash., and Moscow, Idaho.
Raynor and his wife, Gay, moved to Astoria, Ore., in 1974. After Raynor retired from the Methodist Church, he continued for another 20 years as the minister of the Community Congregational Church in Astoria. Raynor was also honored to serve as the Oregon State Chaplain for the American Legion and the "40 et 8" Honorary Society for more than 20 years, also being named an Honorary Department Commander.
Raynor and Gay moved to Boise, Idaho, in 1999. Raynor lived at Valley View Retirement Community, where he enjoyed his apartment, friends, church, and family. He died at a private care home in Meridian.
Raynor is survived by his brother, Rev. Nevitt Smith; children, Glendon Smith (Cynthia), Martha Mundt (John), Larry Watson (Susan), Lurayne Smith Miller (Robert); grandchildren, Garrett Smith, Lawton and Jennifer Smith, Christine (daughter Isabella) and Peter Mundt (partner Hammond Limbong), Topaz Dent, Wade, Brianna, and Skylar Miller. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis, his second wife, Gay, and his son, Garrett.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Rev. David Wettstein for his unending devotion and spiritual guidance, Dr. Stefanie Fry and cardiac care nurse Jill Anderson for their graceful spirits, Life's Doors Hospice nurse Alta and Raynor's caregiver/nurse Dorothy for their loving support throughout his illness.
Memorials may be made to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 2206 N. Cole Rd., Boise, ID 83704.
They are not gone
Who pass beyond the clasp of hand,
Out from the strong embrace.
They are but come so close
We need not grope with hands,
Nor look to see,
Nor try to catch the sound of feet.
They have put off their shoes,
Softly to walk by day
Within our thoughts,
To tread at night
Our dream-led paths of sleep.
"I believe this with all my heart. I have felt the inner truth of this abiding wonder.
All my love.
SHALOM.
Raynor"
