Homer Ray Smith, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully on Monday, November 28, 2016, at his home in Logan, Utah. He was surrounded by his loving family, just the way he wanted.
Homer was born December 19, 1926, in Hyrum, Utah, to Gladys Chugg Smith and Nelton Irving Smith. He was the eighth of eleven children born to Gladys. He grew up in the midst of The Great Depression hunting and fishing with his brothers and working very hard to do his part to support a very large family. He was educated at Lincoln Elementary and South Cache High School in Hyrum.
Homer enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and served his country honorably in the South Pacific as a Seabee until the end of World War II. After the war he returned home to his family in Hyrum. When asked about the most significant event of the World War II era, Homer wisely replied, “September 17, 1947,” which was the day he married Connie Kelsey in the Logan LDS Temple.
Homer and Connie enjoyed 69 years together and welcomed four children into their family. They resided in Hyrum while they raised their family. Homer loved Hyrum and served his community as a city councilman, Jaycee Club member, and Lion’s Club member. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many capacities including Elder’s Quorum president, numerous bishoprics, and, most importantly, as a home teacher where he blessed so many. Homer enjoyed all of his church service. While serving in the church, Homer and Connie met eight couples who became lifelong friends. This group of friends met for New Year’s Eve for over 60 years and blessed each other with great friendships.
Homer began working as a delivery man at Edwards Furniture in 1947 and eventually became the sole owner of the business in 1987. He retired in 1995 after 48 years. The furniture business was a way for Homer to provide for his family, to provide service to the community, and to make many friends. He loved helping people; this was the key to his success.
Homer loved the outdoors and was a very successful gardener. He blessed many family members, neighbors, and friends with fresh vegetables from his garden. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and family. Their travels took them to all 50 states as well as to Europe, Mexico, and Canada. Homer was an Aggie through and through and loved to attend football and basketball games with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
The Smith family wishes to express appreciation to the members of the Canyon Ridge LDS Ward for their service, to the doctors who attended to Homer, and to Intermountain Health Care and Hospice.
Homer was preceded in death by his parents and 10 siblings. He is survived by his wife Connie; children Kurt (JoAnn), Bryon (Michele), Paula, and Marty (Janae); 13 grandchildren; and 24 great grandchildren with one on the way. He is also survived by brothers-in-law Glen Hiibner and Deon Kingsford, sisters-in-law Sheila Smith and Alice Bevan, and brother- and sister-in-law Donna and Richard Chavez.
Funeral services will be held in his honor on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at 1 p.m. at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah. A viewing will be held on Friday, December 2, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at the Allen-Hall Mortuary and from 11:30-12:30 p.m. prior to services on Saturday. Interment will be in the Hyrum City Cemetery.