Wayne Smith passed away peacefully on November 23, 2015, with his wife, Kathleen, by his side and holding his hand, after having fought a long and difficult battle with cancer. Wayne was born on October 30, 1937, in Aurora, Colorado to Harold H. and Elizabeth Wright Smith. He was raised East of Aurora, Colorado, where he spent time family working on the family wheat farm.
He graduated at 16 from Aurora High School. During high school, he came in contact with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and it would change his life. He met the love of his life, Kathleen, during high school and married her at Brigham Young University on September 26, 1955. After four years at Brigham Young, he graduated with a degree in Animal Husbandry, a minor in Agronomy and three children.
Wayne and Kathleen were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and he loved and was devoted to Kathleen all his life. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June with their family, and officially, in September. Wayne and Kathleen made their home in several places: Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and California. They raised 4 daughters and 2 sons. Wayne and Kathleen are the proud grandparents of 18 grandchildren and have 26 great grandchildren with three more on the way.
Wayne was a caring person and made many endearing friendships throughout life. He was a quiet, gentle, but extremely strong man. He was always ready to share a smile. Above all, Wayne loved his family. He always made time to attend his children's sporting events, rehearsals, performances, plays and concerts, and took great pride in all of their accomplishments.
From a young age, Wayne loved working with and caring for animals ‚ horses, cows, dogs, cats, etc. He loved working in agriculture for a profession and in his garden as a hobby. Wayne loved shooting guns and became an expert marksman. During his first year of college at the University of Denver, he traveled on the sharpshooting team of the Army Reserves for Colorado.
Wayne served the remainder of his life in many capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Stake Missionary, Seventy, member of a Branch Presidency and a Bishopric. He served the inmates at the Utah State Prison in Draper and fulfilled a life-long goal of his as he served a mission with his wife at Cove Fort in Central Utah. Most recently, he has served as the instructor of his High Priests group.
He loved being out of doors fishing or at a lake. For the past several years, Wayne loved working at Castaic Lake in Southern California, greeting and talking with friends and visitors there. He was dedicated to keep the lake and water system of Los Angeles County free of the quagga- or zebra-mussel and it became a passion for him. He was awarded the Employee of the Month for Recurrent Employees of Los Angeles County this spring. In the latter years of his life, he took up the hobby of making beautiful knives with creative handles and blades.
We will miss our husband, father, grandfather and friend. He has battled pain for many years and we take comfort in knowing his struggles on this Earth are now over. Indeed he can say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." When we think of enduring to the very end, we can think of Wayne and follow his example.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Kathleen Larsen Smith; their 6 children: Rebecca (Dan) Washburn in Sandy, Utah; Terri Chinn in Grand Junction, Colorado; David (Lori) Smith in Sandy, Utah; Kae (Andy Schwaller) McDonald in Carbondale, Colorado; Tami (Kent) Peterson in Castaic, California; and Dale (Marti) Smith in Katy, Texas. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Harold and Elizabeth Smith, his brother, Donald Smith, and a granddaughter, Moraya Moreno.
Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah. Condolences may be sent online at www.larkinmortuary.com.
The family wishes to express appreciation and thanks for all the doctors who helped Wayne through these past 14 years. In so many ways, there have been miracles performed that have helped him through this life.
