Paul Vernon Smith

Paul Vernon Smith (83) returned home to his loving Heavenly Father Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Paul was born October 6, 1941, to Archie and Mary Smith. He was the fourth of seven kids. He grew up in Morgan, Utah, graduated from Morgan High School, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Weber State College where he also played on the tennis team. Paul served a 2 ½ year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Far East Mission. He returned to Japan as a representative of the Foreign Service with the U.S. Intelligence Community. The church asked Paul to serve an additional 2 ½ years while working for the Foreign Service. One of his proudest moments was when he helped at the 1970 World’s Fair in Osaka and played golf with and translated for Billy Casper.

Paul married Helen Ogden on April 10, 1974 and she and Paul were later sealed in the Ogden Utah Temple on August 8, 1975. Paul and Helen moved to Sandy in 1975. Paul accepted a job teaching Social Studies at Eastmont Middle School. He transferred to the history department at Hillcrest High School in 1979, where he taught and coached football, wrestling, and boys’ tennis until his retirement in 2004. His tennis team won the State Championship in 1990. Paul was voted Coach of the Year in tennis in 1992 and 1995. With 202 total career wins, he was the second-winningest coach in Utah. He continued to sell tickets for sporting events and school activities through 2016.

During his summers “off”, Paul worked for the forest service and his brother Lorin’s construction company. He loved gardening and found time to plant multiple flower and vegetable beds, harvesting enough tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini to feed the neighborhood… twice. He took an active interest in local politics, serving on the White City Township Community Council for many years.

Paul loved hunting and fishing and being outdoors. As a kid, he would grab his gun when he got home from school and cross the fence to hunt pheasants every chance he got. He continued to apply for the draw each year to hunt deer, elk, and small game until it became too difficult for him to walk on uneven ground. He had a deep love for his country, which included music and celebrations with family. He was thrilled with the opportunity to take student groups to Washington, D.C., and his favorite year was when he was able to take Kemi and Kevin with him. Paul had a fierce love for his family, BYU sports, old westerns, and anything sweet. He regularly stuffed his pockets with candy, and he’d either deny he had any or attempt to buy his kids’ silence by offering them some if they noticed him chewing it.

Paul also coached his kids in baseball, softball, tennis, and basketball. He was far less patient with them than he was with his high school teams. His motto seemed to be, “If your kids aren’t in tears, are you even a coach?” He could swear with the best of them, often muttering strings of profanity under his breath in frustration. He was the epitome of a grumpy old man, but he was equally sentimental and would often become emotional over the smallest things. He definitely softened as his grandkids came along, and they listened to old stories with glee, comparing the "naughty” version of Grandpa to the loving and patient one they knew.

Survived by his children: Kemi (Kenny), Kevin (Rhonda), Konnon, Kristi, and Kelli; grandkids: Alex, Kendra, Hannah, Amanda, Abbie, Sam, Natalie, Felicity, and Elsie; brothers: Vaughn, Lyle, and Lorin.

Preceded in death by his wife and parents; brothers: Kent and Gordon; and sister: Linda.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 PM. There will also be a viewing on March 31, from 10:00-10:45 AM. Funeral services will begin March 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM. All services and interment will take place at Larkin Sunset Gardens, located at 1950 E. 10600 S., in Sandy.

The family would like to thank Sasa, Sara, Drea, Jess, Nichole, Danielle, Stefanie, the rest of the Dignity staff, and the Escalante staff for the loving care they provided for Paul.