Grandpa Smart

My Grandpa Smart passed away in May. He was almost 90 years old and he had a wonderful life. I stole this cute collage and picture from my cousins because it says so much about him. My grandma has Alzheimer's and he took care of her right up until he passed away at their house. They were the sweetest couple and you never saw one without the other. My grandma is lost without him and still believes he's just "away at meetings" and she's waiting for him to come back. They raised 8 wonderful children in a small, 3 bedroom house that they built together and there was so much love inside that tiny house. We all felt it growing up and we all felt special even though there were 36 of us grandchildren. We had many fun times with them bowling, which they loved, playing with our cousins at their house for family parties and eventually at the church because there were so many of us and especially at our annual Family Camp in Fairview Canyon. Those are probably the best memories for me because we had grandma and grandpa all week to ride horses with, share dinner with and eat grandma's cookies and pancakes. What fun memories for me as both a child and as an adult....they were a big part of my life and to have them for so long was a blessing for not only me, but for my kids as we spent time with them. He only seemed to age the last couple of years and I'll always be grateful for the example he was for me and for the testimony that he shared with all of us. I was able to fly home for his funeral and 34 of our 36 cousins were there as well as many of their children which says a lot about him and my grandma. What a wonderful life and a wonderful legacy he left for all of us! I love you, Grandpa!

Elmer B. Smart
Elmer B. Smart "A True Gentleman" Elmer B. Smart, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away at his home May 11, 2009 after overseeing the planting of his vegetable garden; his last labor of love for his family.Born November 24, 1919 in Union, Utah to Franklin Arley and Harriett Flowers Smart. He grew up on the family farm where he learned the principle of hard work and his love for the creations of his Heavenly Father. He graduated from Jordan High School in 1937. He served an LDS mission to the Eastern States, and later with his wife in the Riverside, California mission. He married his childhood sweetheart Marian Holt on June 16, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple. He served faithfully in the LDS church his entire life. He held many callings including Bishop. He especially enjoyed 15 wonderful years serving with his wife as ordinance workers at the Jordan River Temple. He loved farming, gardening and was an expert horseman, riding his horses well into his 80's. He enjoyed bowling in his later years and was adored as the permanent substitute on an all-women's bowling league. We will truly miss his kind disposition and his thoughtful words of wisdom. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years; his eight children and spouses, Phil (Debbie), Glen (Carol), Neil (Shawna), Gloria (Steve) Allen, Ray (Sherri), Eileen (Mikel) Christensen, David (Brenda), Susan (Mike) Whittenburg; 38 grandchildren, 73 great-grandchildren, one great- great-granddaughter. Preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Frank, Ralph and Irvin Smart; his sisters, Ethel Simmons, and Martha Sheppick; daughter-in-law, Janis Smart; and grandson, Glen Weston Smart. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 15, 2009 at 12 Noon, at the Sandy Utah Midvalley Stake Center, 1106 East 8055 South, Sandy. Friends may call at Goff Mortuary, 8090 South State, Midvale from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2009 or Friday at the Church from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Interment at Larkin's Sunset Gardens. The family would like to thank all those who have helped with the tender care of our dear father and mother.