Percy John Smith, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away at age 94 on May 2, 2017. He was born December 23, 1922 to James Herbert and Gertrude Robinson Smith in Cornish, Utah, who emigrated from England in 1914. He is the last of a great generation of the Smith family. He was the youngest of seven children, two of which were born in the US.
In his youth Smith lived in Ogden, Utah, graduating from Ogden High in 1940. He married Eloise McKay in the Salt Lake Temple February 1, 1946 and they raised their family in Huntsville, Utah. They had a wonderful garden and raised gladiolas that they shared liberally, including with President David O. and Sister Emma McKay. Eloise died of cancer after they moved to Tooele, Utah in 1975. Percy was an avid Boy Scout leader and received the Silver Beaver Award in 1974. He was employed by the Army as a comptroller for over 20 years.
He married Anne Walker Thomas Dec. 17, 1977 in the Provo Temple and they resided in the Orem and Provo area.
Percy had a wonderful sense of humor and was defined by his love of the gospel and his faithful obedience to his temple covenants. He served as a ward clerk for 20 years, served two full time missions with his companion Anne, and many other callings. Percy’s heart was in genealogy and furthering the work of his parents. Many people recieved the Smith family pedigree charts. He served in WWII in the Army Air Corps and later obtained his pilot’s license, which he used to visit many of his family and friends.
From his marriage to Eloise McKay there are 6 children: Kathryn (Downey), Phillip, Diane (Reider), Michael, David and PJ. They have 33 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Anne and her 4 children: Sterling, Teresa (Jacobs), Suzanne (McDougal), and Carolyn (Jensen), 20 grand-children and 44 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be Monday, May 8, 2017 at 10 a.m. in the Orem Sunset Heights 2nd Ward, 400 West 1260 South, Orem. Friends and family may visit Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem, or Monday morning at the church from 9-9:45 a.m. Interment will be in the Huntsville, Utah Cemetery. Condolences may be shared online at www.walkersanderson.com.