Calvin E Smoot

Calvin E Smoot, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away on December 25, 2020 at the age of 82 in Farmington, Utah. He was known to many for his dedication of service in the church as Stake President, Mission President, Patriarch, Bishop and in many other callings especially in the Farmington, Utah area and was an example of leadership, love, obedience and hard work to all he came in contact with.

“Grandpa” was a fun loving personality and left a strong and impressionable legacy for his posterity; one of faith, commitment and dedication to the Savior Jesus Christ. He led by example and was always thinking of others before himself. This was never more evident than his commitment to always support family members at baptisms, blessings, performances, and graduations – near or far – Grandpa was always there to provide unconditional love and support. Grandpa was always in the congregation, the bleachers or in the crowd as our biggest supporter. He was always the first one after the event to give a huge hug or high-five and a job well done to us. Whether it was spiritual or recreational he always cared and supported all his children and grandchildren.

Calvin was born on June 1st, 1938, in Salt Lake City to Edgar Stubbs Smoot and Dora Millard of Centerville, Utah. Calvin learned how to work hard at a very young age whileraising cattle on the Smoot Family Dairy Farm. He spent much of his childhood showing Jersey cattle all over the Western United States and became an expert showman. His hard work and dedication was a tremendous preparation for the service he would render throughout his life.

Calvin graduated from Davis High School in 1956 and received a scholarship to attend Utah State University by the Utah Dairy Association. He joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity where he developed lifelong friends. He was active in the ROTC and went on to serve as Lieutenant in the United States Army.

After attending USU for 2 years, Calvin served a full-time mission to the British Isles. He saw many conversions of dear people who became strong leaders in the church. He truly loved the British people and fellow companions who also became lifelong friends. His missionary spirit never diminished. He loved to share and defend his faith wherever he went – on the golf course, on a flight or in a neighborhood. He was grateful for the foundation his mission provided him for the remainder of his life.

Upon completion of his mission, he transferred to the University of Utah where he met his sweetheart Jone Hortin of Murray, Utah. They were later married while attending school in March of 1962 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Calvin graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 1963 and masters degree in Business Administration in 1964. A year later, Cal and Jone would move from Utah to serve full time in the 4th Infantry Division of the United State Army for 2 years in Fort Lewis, Washington. He loved his country and his service.

Calvin’s life was centered around Jone and he cherished every step of life with her. They shared wonderful experiences and adventures together, including cherished memories at Bear Lake; they also traveled the world together in service to others and his country and he loved her with everything he had. Even at the end of his journey with us, one of his last requests was “take care of Mom”. He always wanted the very best for Jone and her happiness was his ultimate priority.

Calvin while attending school, working hard and serving in the church, became a father to Mark, Rob, Angela, Holly and Natalie – his children, whom he loved with all his heart and earnestly taught the gospel to throughout his life. He had a unique and special bond with his down syndrome daughter Angela.

In 1971, Calvin was called as Bishop of the Farmington 2nd Ward and tenderly served for 7 years. In 1978 Calvin served as Mission President in the Louisville, Kentucky Mission for 3 years and reminisced often of the tender experiences he had serving the people of Kentucky. He was an outstanding leader and highly influential in the lives of his missionaries. Soon after returning from Kentucky, he was called as Stake President of the Farmington South Stake in 1982. In 1995, Cal and Jone moved to North Salt Lake where they would reside for 10 years. He served as Patriarch for the North Salt Lake Stake for 3 years. Calvin and Jone would later serve a church assignment to New Zealand/PacificIslands from 2006 to 2007.

Calvin gave 27 years of service as an employee of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was grateful for the many uplifting experiences he often had daily with the leaders of the church. He worked in the welfare department, finance, personnel and finished his career as Director of the Travel and Purchasing Departments. He worked with many dedicated and loyal employees. Cal loved the world of sports. As a newlywed he played in softball leagues, got into racquetball and was a great spectator of local teams. Cal & Jone both loved the game of golf. Cal was invited to play in many tournaments and played on beautiful courses throughout the United States.

Calvin was preceded in death by his brothers Harold Edgar Smoot and Stanley Millard Smoot, and parents Edgar and Doris Smoot. He is survived by his beloved wife Jone Hortin Smoot, and his 5 children: Mark (Christine) Smoot, Robert (Michelle) Smoot, Angie Smoot, Holly (Paul) Gilmour, Natalie (Todd) Stevens, his 17 Grandchildren and 11 Great Grandchildren. Also his siblings Caroldyn (Richard) Francis, and Doriene (Jim) Knight.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Thursday January 7th and will be for immediate family by Invitation Only. There will be a public viewing on Wednesday January 6th from 6:00-8:00pm following COVID-19 guidelines. Masks will be required. Services will be held at Russon Mortuary in Farmington, Utah. Russon Mortuary and Crematory: 1941 N Main St, Farmington, UT

The service will be available to the public with a live stream accessible on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/Russon-Mortuary-Crematory-105412734572327