Joseph (Dale) Smith

Smith family patriarch Joseph (Dale) passed away peacefully in his home on August 2, 2024, just shy of his 93rd birthday. He lived a long and colorful life, from his humble beginnings as the child of an itinerant worker in rural Alabama, to his time in the orphanages of Birmingham and Mobile, and eventually moving to Manhattan to live with his dear aunt Kathleen and her husband Karl. After finishing high school, he studied mechanical engineering at Purdue University, followed by an aerospace engineering degree at Utah State University. It was there that he met his soulmate and better half, LaNola Gudmundsen.

He was proud to have served in the United States Army as a flight line mechanic in Germany during the Korean War. His dedication to civil service continued throughout his life, which included serving in various capacities on the North Salt Lake City Council and one term as North Salt Lake City Mayor. Aerospace engineering was not only a career but a genuine passion for Dale, who flew his ERCU Ercoupe for pleasure until deciding to sell it because his growing family wouldn't fit inside.

Nothing was more important to Dale than his family. He took great joy in spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. No one who met Dale came away without at least one proud story about his family.

From his days as a youth in New York City, Dale was an avid shutterbug, embracing all the latest technologies in order to capture important moments and share them with others. In recent years, he focused on organizing, cataloguing, and printing digital photos to ensure that his family could enjoy those memories for years to come.

Dale and Nola were faithful members of the St. Olaf Catholic Parish in Bountiful, Utah, and spent many decades as very active participants in that community.

He was preceded in death by wife, LaNola; beloved son Mick; parents Bernard and Madge; brothers Bernard, Henry, and Jack; and nephews Jacques and Derek.

He is survived by his children Jon Smith (Teri), Christine Larrinaga (Raphael), Kathleen Smith (Jeff Hall), Roxane Sroczynski (Steven), Patrick Smith (Jana), Thomas Smith (Krista), and Mick's loving wife Miranda Smith, as well as 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

His family would like to thank the team at Inspiration Hospice, particularly Chenoa, Regan, and Jason, for their compassion and genuine affection for Dale. They would also like to thank the entire staff and all the residents of Creekside Senior Living Center, where Dale found the engaging and vibrant community that brought him so much happiness throughout his last three years.

Dale was a lifelong advocate for underprivileged children, so in lieu of flowers, his family knows that he would have appreciated seeing support go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (www.bbbs.org).

The family will be holding a memorial open house on Saturday, August 10th from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM at 331 South 600 East, Salt Lake City UT 84102.