Gerald G. Smith

Gerald G. Smith1909 ~ 2004  Gerald G. Smith passed away in Bountiful, Utah November 5, 2004, at the age of 95. He was born January 9, 1909 in Salt Lake City to Nicholas Groesbeck and Florence Gay Smith. Jerry, as he was known to his many, many friends, had a life filled with service and accomplishment. He is survived by three married children, Susan Smith Curtis (Thomas E.), Gerald G. "Chip" Smith II (Carol Marie Ronnow), and Craig Lunt Smith (Tamsan Diane Bartley). He also leaves 13 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren, all of whom lovingly called him "Dampa". He is also succeeded by his youngest brother, Nicholas G. Smith, Jr. His brothers, Stanford and John; and his beloved wife Olive, preceded him in death. Jerry's early years were spent in a fine LDS home in Salt Lake City and Farmington, Utah before his father was called to preside over the South African Mission for the LDS Church. The Smith family and the three young Smith boys, Gerald, Stanford, and John, would spend eight years in South Africa due to the outbreak of World War I. Back in the States, Jerry's younger years revolved around his church, school, many good friends and athletics. He played football and basketball at LDS High School. He excelled in basketball. His coach in high school and at the University of Utah was the legendary Vadal Peterson. Jerry earned All-State and All-Conference honors in basketball and participated in national high school and college tournaments. Jerry greatly admired his father Nicholas G. Smith and strove to model his life after him. Nicholas G. became bishop to his ward and later was called as an Assistant to the Twelve; also served as Acting Patriarch to the Church. He served as a mission president three times. At the University of Utah, Jerry affiliated with the Sigma Chi Fraternity and continued courting his Cedar City sweetheart, Olive Rose Lunt. They enjoyed a very active social life and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple by President George Albert Smith, President of the Church and Jerry's uncle. Upon graduation from the "U" the newlyweds set off for Washington, D.C. and law school. An outstanding career in government interrupted his law studies. At 25 years of age Jerry became the youngest Chief Fiscal Officer in the Federal Government, working for the Farm Credit Administration. He was later appointed fiscal director in the Soil Conservation Service in the Department of Agriculture working with 11 Regional Office and 300 Civilian Conservation Corps. When Nelson Rockefeller was assigned by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to create the Office of Inter-American Affairs, he hired Jerry Smith as his Chief Fiscal Officer. This relationship and a mutual respect for each other continued throughout the lives of both men. This assignment took Jerry to many South American countries. He also worked closely with Roy and Walt Disney designing programs to utilize caricature depictions in film to help backward countries understand and employ much needed sanitary practices. Later in his career Jerry moved his family to the West Coast where he served as Deputy Regional Director of War Assets Administration at the close of World War II. During this busy career in government, he served his church as a counselor in the district presidency in Washington, D.C., as a gospel doctrine teacher and chairman of a fund-raising drive in Southern California. Following the war, as war assets were being liquidated, Jerry felt a strong desire to return his family to Salt Lake City. He became an executive at the ZCMI Department Store from 1950 to 1975, retiring at 66 years of age as manager of the downtown store. Prior to this retirement, he took a three-year leave to serve as president of the Eastern States Mission. He greatly enjoyed this assignment and his affiliation with and responsibility for the Hill Cumorah Pageant in those days. His service in his church included that of counselor in the Salt Lake Bonneville Stake Presidency, Stake Patriarch, and associate director of the Salt Lake Temple Square Visitor's Center. He also served on the MIA General Board as a member of the Church Athletic Committee. He also served as a Regional Representative of the Quorum of the Twelve. Following retirement, he and his wife Olive moved to Mesa where he served as director of the Mesa Arizona Visitor's Center. Also served as a sealer in the Salt Lake Temple. He filled many community assignments including those as president of the Bonneville Knife and Fork Club, governor of the Mayflower Society, state chairman of the Utah Cancer Society, and president of the "U" Emeritus Club. In all of their assignments, Gerald and his lovely Rose made numerous friends. They were among the first residents in The West Temple Apartments, just west of the Conference Center. Dad so appreciated Building Manager, Bob Schmelling and many officials of Zion's Securities for their many courtesies. Also, their great neighbors on the south end of the 8th Floor, the Garrards, rendered many kindnesses. When it became necessary to vacate his apartment at age 94, and due to the effects of advancing age, Dad spent the last nine months in the Orchard Cove facility in Bountiful. Dad's family expresses appreciation to the kind caregivers. Funeral services for President Gerald Smith will be conducted Wednesday, November 10, 2004, at 12 noon, Salt Lake 14th Ward, 142 West 200 North. Friends may call Tuesday evening, 6-8 p.m. at the Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, and at the Ward Wednesday, 10:45-11:45 a.m. Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery.