Reed Smoot

Reed Smoot 1919 ~ 2007 Reed Smoot died at home October 8, 2007, in the company of his daughters. He was 88.He is survived by his three daughters, Kathryn Egan (Wayne), Anita Smoot Hartmann (Dieter) and Marilyn Smoot; his grandchildren, Jason Reed Caldwell (Lisa) and Sherilyn Kathryn Phillips (Trevor) and five great-grandchildren. He was a remarkable, gentle man, self-controlled and goal-oriented, who cherished and adored his wife Stella and loved his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grand children. Until the end of his life, he lived according to his own high principles and values, dignified and concerned for anyone in his presence. He was the retired executive vice president and chief operating officer of U & I Incorporated. Reed was born in Provo, Utah on June 8, 1919 to Harlow E. and Anita Parkinson Smoot, and was the grandson of Senator Reed Smoot of Utah. He married his first, only and great love Stella Madsen in the Salt Lake LDS Temple December 28, 1939, then moved to Palo Alto, California, where he received his B.A. from Stanford University in 1940. He began work with the U & I Sugar Company in West Jordan, Utah as a storekeeper in the supply room. After service in the U.S. Navy, he returned to U & I, became an assistant purchasing agent, a cashier and office manager in Chinook, Montana, moved into sales in Spokane and later Seattle, Washington. In 1954 he became assistant sales manager in Salt Lake City, then general sales manager, and joined the executive committee and board of directors as vice president. When U & I Incorporated bought land beside the Columbia and Snake Rivers, he and Stella moved to Richland, Washington, where he was the chief operating officer and managed 100,000 acres of agricultural development. He retired from U & I in 1981, after 42 years of service. Reed served in the U. S. Navy in World War II as a radio technician having trained in radio, radar and long-range navigation. He chose this on enlistment, because he thought it would be more interesting than being an officer. He used his radio and electronic skills the rest of his life. Reed and Stella had an active social life over the years with a wide variety of friends. They enjoyed dancing and playing golf and were members of the High Steppers and Skate Clubs, The Ambassador, Fort Douglas and Salt Lake Country Clubs. After his retirement they crisscrossed the United States by automobile, and went to Southern Africa to spend time and travel with their daughter Anita, who resided in Namibia. They enjoyed their grandchildren, great-grandchildren. The family is grateful for the warm and attentive service given to their father by his doctor of many years, Gary Griffin, M.D., and his caretakers, Caroline Suval and Shawn Lerwill. Reed was a diplomat, impeccably fair, and a true gentleman to the very end. He will be greatly missed. Farewell our wonderful father, grandfather and friend. Graveside services will be held Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Provo City Cemetery, 610 South State Street, Provo. Family and friends are invited to meet at the grave. Condolences may be sent to info@bergmortuary.com