Mark James Smith

LAYTON - Mark James Smith, 57, returned to live with our Heavenly Father on Aug. 24, 2011, in Layton, Utah. He was born March 27, 1954, to C. Lyle and Geraldine Smith in Kemmerer, Wyo.
He spent his earlier life in Kemmerer and then moved with his family to Logan, Utah, where he graduated from Logan High School in 1972. He served an LDS mission to Ireland. He graduated from Utah State University in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in sociology and family relations.
He married Vicki Jewell Murphy in the Ogden LDS Temple on Oct. 7, 1976. They are best friends and forever sweethearts. The evening before his passing they enjoyed a bike ride together with a quiet talk on the porch. Mark worked for Smith's Food and Drug for 34 years and then Cache Valley Sales.
He loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and had great faith. He often said, "The Man upstairs is in charge, and He knows what He is doing." He often counseled his children: "Do what you know is right, and everything else will work out."
His wife, children and grandchildren were among the most important things in his life.
Mark will be remembered for his dry sense of humor and his heart of gold. He is patient, loving, sensitive, understanding and a peacemaker. He loved searching for his ancestors and loved studying church history. He was a great sports fan, whether cheering for the Green Bay Packers, New York Yankees, Utah Jazz, Salt Lake Bees, Real Salt Lake or Utah State Aggies.
He was active in the LDS Church and served in many callings including first counselor in a bishopric, High Priest group leader, Sunday School president, ward membership clerk and currently in the (Layton) Creekside Stake Young Men's presidency.
He is survived by his wife, Vicki; children, Nathan James Smith (Nancy) and Shannon Maeve Stevenson (Andy) of Layton; his grandchildren, Ellie, Meg and Sam Stevenson, and Rob and Bella Smith; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his mother Geraldine Smith of Orem; sister, Sherry White (Ken) of Provo; and brother, Dennis (Cynthiann) of Farmington.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lyle; sister, Deanne Baird; and nieces, Pamela White Nelson and Riley Baird.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Aug. 29, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the Layton Creekside Stake Center, on the corner of Flint and Phillips in Layton, Utah. Friends may visit family Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, prior to services at the church.
Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.
Condolences may be shared at: www.lindquistmortuary.com.