Jeffrey Carlson Smolka, 40, died unexpectedly at home on March 16, 2018. Jeff was born September 20, 1977 in Murray, Utah, to Clarence Don and Geraldine Sue Carlson Smolka. He attended Skyline High School. Jeff grew up in Emigration Canyon where he learned to love wilderness and nature. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, hiker, camper and scouter. He loved his times at Fish Lake and Canyonlands. He was part of a great family scouting tradition, and was one of 36 Eagle Scouts in five generations. With his many friends, he participated in many fifty-mile hikes in the High Uintas. He was a superb finish carpenter and loved woodworking of all kinds. His twelve-year-old twins were his passion and his life, along with his fiancée, Kendra J. Warren. They had set a date of June 30 for their wedding. He worked for many years for Smolka Construction and was instrumental in building custom cabinetry and finish work. He loved all kinds of sports, and especially the Green Bay Packers. Jeff was a people person. Everyone loved him. If anyone ever asked him for a favor, it was done with a smile. He was generous to a fault.
He was preceded in death by his brother Justin Jay Smolka. He is survived by Kendra, his parents, children, Jaxson Jason Smolka and Elaina Lillian Smolka, siblings, Jaime Hardwick (Sean), Jim Smolka, Jeremy Allen Smolka (Toni), and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at the LDS Crestview Chapel, Emigration Canyon Ward, 2795 Crestview Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah, at noon. Friends may greet the family from 10:30 until 11:30 prior. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park immediately following the services. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to help with funeral expenses.
