Lynn Smith

1935 - 2025

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, mentor and friend passed away on September 23, 2025 at his home in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He will be sorely missed.

Lynn was born May 28, 1935 in Provo, Utah to Clarence Alvin Smith and Orpha May Walker. He was their third son. His older brothers were Maurice (Anna) and Richard (Betty) Smith.

He grew up in Provo where he learned to enjoy the peace of the mountains, the Provo River and Utah Lake. He always thought of Provo as "home."

While attending BYU, Lynn met a beautiful woman named Dora Ann Laker from Summit, New Jersey. They dated, fell in love and married for all eternity in the Manti Temple on September 7, 1962. Together they built a beautiful family of 6 children: Scott (Kristin Kuhns) Smith, Michelle (Daniel Rhodes-Deceased and Stan) Lockhart, David Smith (stillborn), Teralyn (Ira) Young, Keri Elena (Dennis) Stewart, and Teri (Mike) Blunck. They also had two lifetime bonus children: Janele (Boyd) Weatherston and Leeann (Chuck) Stahn. They have 20 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. They were married for 63 years.

During his lifetime, he worked as a telegrapher for the Union Pacific Railroad, served three years of active duty with the United States Army and five years of inactive service, a caseworker with the Utah Department of Public Welfare, 35 years as a professor in the Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justices at Ricks College. The highlight and greatest achievement of his career was founding and running the Teton Student Leadership Institute in Victor, Idaho of which many notable students attended including Utah Governor Spencer Cox.

Lynn graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees. He also attended the University of Utah and Washington State University for post masters studies.

Service was always a high priority for Lynn. Civilly, he served in the American Red Cross, the Sons of the Utah Pioneers, and with various organizations at Ricks College and in Rexburg, Idaho. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. Among these were presidente de la rama Espanol, high council, bishop, mission president, stake president, and home teacher/minister. He served a mission in the Spanish American Mission in Texas and New Mexico. With his wife Ann, he served in the Mexico City East Mission and the Temple Square Mission in Salt Lake City. He served for 7 years as a Spanish Language temple worker.

Lynn had a positive, optimistic outlook, an extraordinary sense of humor and loved life. He enjoyed music, singing in various choirs, watching a good western, being in the mountains, and studying Aztec and Mayan culture. He was most happy when he was surrounded by his family and those he loved.

An evening viewing was held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the Olpin Family Mortuary Chapel, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Funeral services were held Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 11:00 am in the Mt. Mahogany Stake Center, 1548 North 900 West, Pleasant Grove, Utah. A viewing was held from 9:30 - 10:45 am prior to the service. The interment took place in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.