David Smith

Biography

Following a valiant battle with Leukemia, Dave returned peacefully to his heavenly home Saturday evening, surrounded by his family. Through patience and courage our kind and loving father had overcome the challenges of life, and was ready to again be with his beloved wife Ruthie, parents Kenneth E Smith and Mary Bennett, his Savior, and his Heavenly Father.
Dave was born in Salt Lake, Utah, graduated from East High and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah. He served his country honorably in the Army and served a full-time LDS mission in the Southeast Mexican Mission. Upon returning home he was married and sealed to his high school sweetheart Ruth Marie Thomas on March 18th, 1966 in the Salt Lake Temple. They began raising their family in California where he earned an MBA from Stanford and became a CPA. They later returned to Bountiful Utah to live closer to family. Dave lost his Ruthie in 2003 to complications from a stroke. With so much love to share he was guided to find and marry Rosemary Palmer July 21st, 2005 and added another family full of children and grandchildren to love, serve, and cherish.
Dave was especially sweet, kind and patient, one of the hardest workers you’ll meet, completely devoted to his family, his church, his clients, and in finding good in every person. He loved music, plays, the symphony, good books, and sharing the beauties of the world with his family. All who have come to know and love Dave have in some way been blessed by his desire to serve, to love, to counsel and to bring brightness and cheer to others. He has shared his commitment to the gospel and love for the Savior through many years of service in Scouts and the Young Men’s organization, as a Home Teacher, serving an Inner-City Mission with Rosie, the Sons of the Utah Pioneers, as well as freely sharing his testimony with everyone he met through word and deed. A life-long example from a gentle giant that will continue to inspire, to warm, and to comfort all those with whom he shared a part of himself.
Dave is survived by his wife of 9 years, Rosemary Palmer Smith, his children, David, Brent(Shelli), Amy(Ryan), and Ryan(Erica), her children Glenn(Lisa), Arvonne(Cliff), Richard(Kasi), Pauline(Dale), Jason(Christine), Janae(Jason), Lyndsey(Chris) and 16 Smith and 26 Palmer grandchildren and 5 Greats, who will all dearly miss their “Grandpa Dave”, siblings Kenneth, Rosie, Mary Carol, and Elaine.
A viewing will be held Friday evening, January 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, in Bountiful. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 3rd at 11:00 am at the Canyon Park Ward chapel, located at 1190 East Bountiful Hills Drive. A viewing will be held from 10:00 to 10:50am, where friends may call prior to the services.
Family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Dave’s name to his favorite charitable organizations: The General Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or The Utah Symphony and Opera and Maliheh Free Clinic.
A Special thanks to the Staff of LDS Hospital and ASPIRE Home Health and Hospice!

Funeral Service

Saturday January 3, 2015, 11:00 at Canyon Park Ward
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