Gordon Albert Smith

Gordon Albert Smith, age 96 of Bountiful, Utah completed his mortal journey on February 27, 2019.  The journey began on April 2, 1922 in Enoch, Utah as the second son of Stanley Abner Smith and Grace Ashton Walker Jones.

He lived a life of service and devotion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, family, friends, and neighbors.  His joy came from serving others, never putting himself first.

At the age of 13, he was profoundly influenced when he was offered summer work with local farmer, Carolyle Esplin. At this time he began doing the work of a man, a pattern he followed the rest of his life. He loved physical work, no matter how difficult or exhausting.

He stayed close to his parents, three brothers (Ashton, Drex and Udell) and his two sisters (Anna and Grace Marie.) This example of sibling love and kindness is now blessing his posterity and generations to come.

He immensely enjoyed school at Branch Agricultural College (Southern Utah University) which included dancing, singing, sports, and the Institute of Religion. At the recommendation of his father, he joined the Navy during World War II.  This led to further education at Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, where he would meet his love, Delores Nelson. He eventually went on to receive a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering from Iowa State College.

He was assigned to serve in the Philippines during WWII, and continued to correspond with Delores during the entire time. He greatly cherished and enjoyed the friendships he made during his military service.  This was his call to missionary work. He sang in choirs with other servicemen of various denominations. He served as an ambassador and example of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ in difficult circumstances.

Following the war, he resumed his courtship with Delores and was sealed on February 21, 1947 in the Salt Lake City Temple by Joseph Fielding Smith. Together, they had four sons and three daughters.

He accepted an engineering position in Swan Valley, Idaho for the Bureau of Reclamation at Palisades Reservoir. The next two decades were spent at Hill Air Force Base as a civil engineer. He built his own home in Bountiful during this time. After he retired from government service, he began another career for several decades which enabled him to work and teach many grandchildren how to work as they labored alongside him. He became an amazing mentor and example in their lives.

He never turned down a church calling and especially enjoyed being a teacher in the Swan Valley Ward, Ordinance worker in the Bountiful Temple, Dance Instructor, Stake Farm Director, Primary teacher, High Councilman, Scoutmaster, and a member of several Bishoprics.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Grace, his wife Delores, brother Drex, and grandson Christopher.

He is survived by his children, Susan (Brent) Nelson, Robert (Gloria) Smith, Bruce (Nancy) Smith, Carol Jean (Jim) Crawford, Colleen (Layne) Izatt, Larry (Kim) Smith and Scott (Lolit) Smith. Also, his brothers Ashton and Udell Smith, and sisters Anna Turner and Grace Marie Dennis. He has 56 grandchildren and 66 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Bountiful 31st Ward Chapel, 585 E. Center St. in Bountiful. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 11:30am-12:30pm. Friends and family may visit on Friday, March 1, 2019 from 6pm-8pm at the 31st Ward Chapel. Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com.