John D. Smith

Funeral services for John D. Smith, 82, of Central, who passed away peacefully Friday morning, Jan. 15, surrounded by his loving family, will be conducted Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. at the Central LDS Chapel by Bishop Steven Hooper of the Central Ward. Concluding services will follow in the Central Cemetery.

John Donald Smith was born March 15, 1927, in Sandy, Utah. He is the oldest child of John Lavell and Olive (Hogan) Smith. John D. was raised in the Sandy area, graduating from Jordan High School in 1945. He was drafted into the United States Navy in 1945 and served as a fireman first class on the USS President Hayes. He was discharged from the Navy at the end of World War II in 1946.

He served an almost three-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Finland, where he developed a lasting love for the people and the country. Upon returning home from his mission, he was introduced by his father to the love of his life, Frances Ludwig. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 16, 1951.

John D. believed strongly in the importance of education and continued his education throughout his life. He received a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in 1960 and a master’s degree, also from BYU, in August 1968. He went on to take classes towards his Ph.D. and was an avid reader all his life, learning all he could through classes and books. John D. taught at North Sanpete High School in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, and was principal at Tintic High School in Eureka, Utah. He was then accepted into the seminary and institute program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and went to teach seminary at Bingham High School in Copperton, Utah.

In 1968, he moved his family of now nine children to Central to teach in the Institute of Religion at the Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher. One more child was born in Central. He had found his dream job and loved every moment of his time at the Institute until he retired in 1992.

John D. worked long and hard to fulfill his dream of building his own home. The family moved into the new home in 1976. John D. was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings throughout his life. He and Frances served a mission to the Freiberg Germany Temple from 2000-2001. John D. was known throughout the Valley for his willingness to help anyone in need. He was a willing listener, and many benefited from the wisdom he had gained throughout his life.

John D. is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Frances of Central; children, John O. (Merry) of Pima, Debbie Kempton of Tucson, Kaija (Kelly) Griffin of Central, Dawn (Wyatt) Palmer of Thatcher, Paula (Joel) Bingham of Safford, Tina (Brady) Lee of Thatcher, Becky (Darral) Thompson of Tucson, Mark (Lynette) of Central and Byron (Kim) of Fort Madison, Ind.; brothers, Kay (Neva) of St. George, Utah, and Randall (Lorna) of Rexburg, Idaho; sisters, LaJuana Watson of Sandy, Utah, Roma (Milton) Smith of Draper, Utah, and Melva (Joseph) Zillner of Midvale, Utah. Including the Perkins and Anways of Central, whom John considered his own, his posterity reaches beyond 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

John is preceded in death by his parents; son, Neil; sister, Dorothy; grandson, Douglas; and great-grandson, Spencer.

The family will receive friends this morning from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the Central LDS Chapel Relief Society Room.

Online condolences may be offered at viningfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.