Nicholas Scott Smith was born on Sept. 9, 1954, with a ball in each hand. From the time he could walk he trailed after his older brothers wanting nothing more than to do whatever they were doing.
Nick attended school in Grace Idaho where he excelled in basketball, football, and track. He then attended Ricks College where he was a running back for their championship team. It was at Ricks that a "Bancroft girl" caught his eye. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Nagoya Japan. Upon returning he looked up that "Bancroft girl", Janice Hatch, and they were married on December 28, 1976. He then attended Idaho State University graduating with a degree in Accounting while working on the family farm during the summers. After passing the CPA exam he worked for a short time in Pocatello, Idaho then moved to Salt Lake City where he pursued his career in accounting enjoying his association with so many long-term clients. Nick and Janice have three children, Scott Nicholas (DeeAnna), Jill Nicole, and Spencer Eric. Two grandchildren, Nichole Alta and Zakery Tyler Smith. Nick loved being involved with his children's sports, coaching and supporting them in whatever they chose to do.
He studied the sport of tennis so he could help his daughter Jill and son Spencer be the best they could be resulting in them both earning scholarships for tennis at division 1 colleges.
The farmer in Nick was never far away. His yard and flower gardens were the envy of many in the neighborhood. He returned to his roots a few years ago by taking up team roping with his son Scott. Nick loved going to the Sports Mall almost every night where he and his "spa" buddies would attempt to solve the problems of the world.
Nick leaves behind many family members, neighbors, business associates, and friends who know the value of what he brought to their lives. Nick passed away on December 12, 2022, after a short battle with cancer. Proceeding him are his father, Everett Wilkin, and mother, Viola Petersen Smith, and a brother David Eric. He is survived by his three children, two grandchildren, brothers Lyn (Dina) Smith, Kevin (April) Smith, and Gil Richard Smith, sisters Eldene (Joseph) Holbrook, Marilyn (Steve) Harris, and Angela, aka as Gus to Nick (Bradley) Nelson. He leaves behind many nephews, nieces, and grandnephews and nieces. Nick treated everyone with unconditional kindness and love.
There will be a viewing at the Cottonwood Heights 7th Ward, 2522 E. 6710 So., Salt Lake City Monday, December 19, 2022, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will follow on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, with a viewing from 9 to 10 am and the service at 10 am also at the Cottonwood Heights 7th Ward.
Interment will follow at the Grace, Idaho cemetery.
Those wishing to view the COMPLETED services via Zoom can click on the "Watch Services" button or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/YZOZmrPqCXBOb4u7n1__Hu9ADsMUbgA51CdvdvRykxoAmfGXWBFlm8zbce6v6d3Y.b5RmP7P5QZ4-7125?startTime=1671552923000
We are so sorry to hear of Nicks passing. Jill, we know how much your dad meant to you. You two had a special relationship.
He will be so missed by you and your family and sounds like many many others.
He left way to soon.
Prayers and thoughts are with you .
Hang in there during this difficult time.
Love from, Don and Deb and family💔❤️
Our hearts goes out to you.
Dang it Nick! We had so many more of the worlds problems to solve.
You were always such and kind and loving friend to me!
You never let me walk by without you shouting my name.
You guided me through my taxes every year, even took time to help my brother and I put together a business plan. You never turned me down when I wanted to pull on your ear about anything.
You were a friend and mentor to me and my heart is broken we will not have any more chats in this life.
I will cry for now, but I am grateful to know I will see you again my friend. I Love you Nick!
Janice, I am shocked and saddened at this news. I am happy that he did not have to suffer long that I am extremely sad for you and your children and grandchildren. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sending Condolences of Love and Peace. Prayers being sent to the Family❤️
Sorry to hear about Nick was a great man remembering him in high school
Jan, we send our love and hugs to you and your family. We know that Trudy and Tom will welcome him home. May you hold in your heart the wonderful memories you all share, Sending love from the Mod Squad❣️
I’m so sorry to hear of Nicholas Scott Smith’s passing! My love and prayers to all of his family.🕊🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏🕊
So sorry to hear about Nik. I worked with Nik for close to 20 years on various companies financials. I have been retired for 8 years so I have not kept up with him. I always thought he was one of the more physically fit than most of us.
Words cannot begin to express what this Giant from Grace has meant to me and my family. He was much more than a business associate. He was a trusted and cherished brother and was loved and highly respected. I will miss our Bull sessions immensely as we talked tennis and pickle ball and had every answer to this nation’s woes. Take a break, my brother. You have earned it.
Nike, I’m going to miss you, my friend, as we stopped and talked on mornings walk. You were so sweet and kind to me and my dogs.. You knew the right thing to say whenever I was having a troubled day. Bottom line, you my friend were an amazing person and friend. Your kindness was something special. For me, it was a great feeling to have someone remember my name.
great man that remembered my name. RIP
What a beautiful man we have lost. Our hearts are full of grief. Nic and Janice shared wonderful times with us. All the different parts of the world, always the last to get back to the Ship!! The Jazz season tickets......Always the four of us having wonderful times, great memories. Nic has now left us and we will never forget him , will love him forever.
I am so sad for your family. Nick has always been a supportive friend to Corbin. He will be truly missed.
Janice
Keith and I were so sad to hear of Nick’s passing. We both felt if anyone could beat this terrible disease it would be Nick. He was always so healthy and active. I’m sure this is a tremendous loss for you and your family. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love to you and your family ❤️
I am so sorry for the loss of my good friend and your husband, father, grandfather and friend to many people. I would thank Nick for many wonderful high school memories, especially the four passes, 2 for touchdowns by the way, he threw to me in the Minidome in Pocatello, Idaho during our championship football fame. That undefeated, 9-0 football season will never be forgotten by the class of 1972. Nick is fine on his side of the veil but will be greatly missed by family and friends on this side of the veil. God bless you.
A kind man, definitely gone too soon. Our prayers are with you and your family, Janice. Sending love,
Curt & Elizabeth Jensen
We are sorry to hear of Nick`s passing. He was a joy to work with. It was easy for our professional relationship to turn into friendship. He was great friend and enjoyed the many hours spent “going over the books”. Our prayers are with his Family.
Janice
May Heavenly Fathers blessings and comfort be with you and your children and with Nicks brothers and sisters and their families.
Truly one of the really great Human Beings on this earth!
Dear Janice , Jill and family ,
We are so sad and sorry to hear about Nick.
He was such a great , kind , always friendly soul. What a great Dad and supporter of your kids’ sports. This is such a hard thing and time! Our hearts , prayers and love are sent to you and your family !
God Bless you…
Rob and Jill Jackson
I was so saddened to hear this today. I am so sorry. I have wonderful memories of Nick. He was always so kind to my family and to me. He was always there supporting Jill. I enjoyed reading about his life. He will be missed by so many. My heart and prayers are with you guys during this time. ♡ ♡
Nick Smith was our quarterback. He called all the plays on field. Could have been 3rd and 9 not sure but we trusted him to dial up something and get us out of there. Ten guys all focused on Nicks face mask with those side-burns sticking out each side. Still see the ball leaving his fingers, tight spiral, rainbow arc, roof of the mini-dome backdrop and Rick Roper cradling the catch in the end zone. They were bigger than us, but Nick in the huddle; just get in to their belt buckle and stay on your block. Last thing you would see was Wade Wilkers heels going past your head with a lot of green turf out front. We got back off missions and heard Nick was planning to marry one of those Hatch girls from Bancroft. You have to understand the geography, but from Grace, that was like going over to the enemy. Best decision he ever made. He called his own plays in life as in football. We played hard, never be forgotten. To Nick our quarterback, god speed, and we will see you again in the end zone.