Valerie Elizabeth King

Valerie Elizabeth King (Smith), of Boise, Idaho, was born to Helen Jane Vasquez and Harley Sheridan Smith in Oakland, California on March 5, 1957.  She grew up near Medford, Oregon, with one brother, Kurtice Smith, and five half-siblings: Kelly Dodenhoff, Carrie Clark, Steven Clark, Yvonne Clark, and Leslie English. She attended the University of Oregon in her twenties, and later in life graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor’s in Health Science.

She met Gary King Sr., in Anchorage, Alaska, while working at a local diner, and they married in 1983. Valerie and Gary split their time between Anchorage and San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico. Her hobbies included fishing, tennis and golf. She welcomed motherhood with great enthusiasm, with her only son Gary Wayne King, III, born in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico. 

Joy turned to difficulty and challenge as Gary III’s stroke at birth and complex disabilities changed the trajectory of the family’s experiences permanently. The family moved to Sun Valley, Idaho where Valerie was involved in helping navigate Gary III through K-12 in the Wood River Valley as a classroom volunteer. Divorce and single parenthood followed in 1993, with Valerie and Gary Sr continuing to nurture Gary III’s athletic interests (skiing, biking, and baseball). 

Valerie passionately played in tennis tournaments through Idaho.  She enjoyed classic movies and music from the 70s. She loved to watch and analyze Boise State football games, even working at the BSU stadium, rubbing shoulders with famous coaches and players alike.

Valerie had a strong Christian faith, and participated in both the Big Wood Presbyterian Church in Ketchum, ID as well as the Christian-based Celebrate Recovery addiction recovery program in Boise, ID. We rejoice that her lifelong struggle with alcoholism has been set free, and she can now rest in her Savior’s arms. Valerie is survived by her son Gary Wayne King III and daughter-in-law Carolynn Raab King, of Hawaii. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Celebrate Recovery in Boise, or to the Ernest Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum, Idaho. 

Cremation was completed by Accent Funeral Home, with burial at the Ketchum Cemetery in Ketchum, Idaho. A small family service will be held Friday, July 12, 2024, 10am, at the LDS Stake Center at 11443 W McMillan Rd, Boise ID 83713.