Harry Clifford Smith

Our Dad Loved Mornings. He loved campfires and basketball, horses and fishing, hard-work and music, Christmas mornings and Priesthood Meeting, hunting, long road trips and practical jokes.  He loved all of these things, but he loved them most in the early morning.  Our dad was
HARRY CLIFFORD SMITH, and on November 27th 2016, at the age of 86 he left this life for the next, and yes he did it in the early morning.   
Harry was born in Farmington, Utah on January 8, 1930, the fourth son of Henry Giles and Dora Hadley Smith.  As a depression era child he learned the value of hard work, being resourceful, honesty and the value of being of service to others. He learned to love people and horses and somewhere along the way he learned to love the gospel.  In 1950 he served a mission in the Texas Louisiana Mission. Upon his return he married Mary Alice Perkins for time and all eternity, September 15, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple and then was promptly drafted into the Army and served as a Sergeant First Class in the Korean War.  While serving overseas, his first of what would be many children were born.  You see here’s where things become a little murky, while he and Mary Alice had but six naturally born children, they touched the lives of so many others as adoptive and foster parents, friends and mentors (and you know who you are!)
Harry is survived by his bride and the love of his life for the past 64 years Mary Alice Perkins Smith, his baby sister Joyce Barber; his children Cliff (Kerry); Cathy Moore (Garry); Cindy Crawley (Scott); Brian (Pam); Debbie Bryans (Dean); Tracey Nelson (Eric); DJ (Lisa); Ken Wolfleg (Laurie); Stewart Barrett; David Dalpe; 48 grandchildren; 48 greatgrandchildren, nephews, nieces and friends (who seem to number less and less every year!).
Harry attended college at Weber State where he had eyes to one day become an engineer, but alas his love of people got in the way and he chose the field of social work instead.  While at Weber State he played a little college football and at his prime he stood 6’3” and weighed in at 250 and was an outstanding Defensive Tackle #77. Harry went on to graduate from Utah State and completed his formal education with a Master’s degree from Gonzaga University.
The majority of his career was spent working for LDS Church Social Services, and he took particular joy in his time with the Indian Student Placement Program.  Harry had a fondness for the Lamanite People and worked diligently on their behalf.  In the late 1970’s he became an honorary chief of the Blackfoot Nation and received a ceremonial headdress and was named Chief E-GETTZA-May–Dah-SAI (Chief White Horse).
Harry had a particular fondness for the Youth.  He spent countless hours in his various church roles: Missionary, Bishop, Priesthood Leader, Young Men’s President, Scout Master, Youth Advisor and Home Teacher.  But of all these he got no greater joy than Saturday mornings behind a whistle coaching Bitty-Ball.  There is no telling how many youth learned to love the games of basketball and life bouncing smaller than normal basketballs on hardwood floors, dawning donated jerseys and playing their hearts out. Many mornings he would be met by sleepy eyed parents and wide eyed eager wee ones at the gym door.  
Harry was a builder of Red Things and of Boys and of Girls and of self-confidences.  He was a repairer of broken things and of hearts and of spirits and of esteems.  He was a loyal friend to many and a lover of life and a student of the things that matter most and a worthy servant of God.
Our Dad has gone on to be in heaven, very soon to ride again his favorite bay mare, Kiawah.  What a wonderful sight it will be to see Harry and Bill and Fred, Henry Giles and all the others sitting tall in the saddle heading up the trail on yet another great adventure. 
Like the poet said of a dear departed friend, “I’m gonna miss that smile, I’m gonna miss you my friend. Even though it hurts the way it ended up, I’d do it all again.  So play it sweet in heaven, Cause that’s where you want to be.  I’m not cryin’ cause I feel so sorry for you…..I’m cryin’ for me”
Our Dad Sure Loved Mornings!

-Our family wishes to thank Dr. Taylor for being dad’s physician and friend for so many years.
– And the staff at both the Chinook and Lee Crest for excellent and kind care to our father. He loved you dearly.

The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, South Hill Chapel, Cardston, AB on Saturday, December 3rd, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.  Friends may meet the family from 10:00-10:45 a.m.  prior to the service.

In Utah, visitation for friends and family will be at the Rock Chapel, 272 North Main, Farmington, UT. On Tuesday, December 6, 2016 from 12 noon to 2 pm.  Burial will follow at 2:30 pm at the Farmington City Cemetery.