Gary Verl "Snuffy" Smith

Gary’s bookend years were 3/26/39 and 3/29/2019, but the volumes of life and memories in between are his precious gift to us. He lived his life with a sense of purpose in teaching us, his family, that the purpose of our mortal existence is to live as the Savior did, to love and to serve one another.

He was the first child of Verl and Evelyn Smith and loved his childhood years growing up in Bountiful with sister, Patty and brother, Freddie. As a young child he worked at the family-owned Smith Milling Company where he learned a hard work ethic which served him well throughout his life. He was in the first graduating class of Bountiful High School, participating in basketball and baseball, making many lifetime friends and buddies.  

After a short time at university, he served in the Northern California Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gaining many eternal friends who impacted his life forever.  Upon returning, his National Guard unit was called to active duty stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas because of the Berlin crisis. It was during this time he met his eternal companion, Deanna Beckman and they married September 14, 1962 in the Logan Utah LDS Temple sharing the next 56 ½ years together as sweethearts.

He returned to the University of Utah and completed his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1965 and continued on to graduate with his MBA in 1966.  Gary was a true “Utah Man” and he shared many special experiences with his family cheering on his beloved Utes. Ki-yi! After his graduations, he accepted employment with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell in their Salt Lake office which began his business career. He enjoyed many meaningful employments and his circle of influential friends increased. 

Gary had a great love for country and community and served in the Bountiful Area Chamber of Commerce for six years in many capacities including President of the Chamber.  He also served many years as Foundation Chair at the DATC in Kaysville where again his circle of friends enlarged. 

His greatest love of service was the many various callings within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had numerous opportunities to serve with the youth of the church and cherished his time as bishop of the YSA ward which he said kept him young. Among his favorite callings was being a Home Teacher and visiting with many choice families he will forever love.  

Together he and his wife were able to travel and enjoy many trips at home and abroad.  He loved people and it seemed he knew someone wherever we traveled.

Gary experienced some serious health issues during his life and was blessed to be a liver transplant recipient which gave us, his family, an additional 5 ½ years with him.  Complications from a stroke finally took him from us. 

Gary was dearly loved and will be missed by his sweetheart of 56 years and his loving family which was his greatest treasure: Lisa (Troy) Fox, Michael (LeEtta) Smith, Ryan (Torri) Smith, Kristen (Justin) Fowles, Justin (Holly) Smith and his precious 19 grandchildren, Tori (JT), Tiera (Clark), Josh (Kadyn), Alex (Drew), Tayler, Hailey, Tierney, Carson,  Hanna, Ashlee, Avery, Jacob, Madelyne, Quinn, Austin, Braden, Hayzen, Savannah, Levi and soon to be 3 great-grandchildren, Taylee, Preslee, and Blakely.   

Friends may visit with family Thursday April 4th from 6-8 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington or Friday, April 5, 2019 at the Rock Church, 272 North Main Street, Farmington from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to 11:00 a.m. funeral service. Interment will be in Farmington City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions suggested to Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.