Calvin (Cal) Lee Smith

Calvin Lee Smith ("Cal") - February 7, 1940 – February 15, 2024

Calvin Lee Smith, known to friends and family as "Cal," passed away on February 15, 2024, at the age of 84, in the care of the Veterans Hospital in Reno, Nevada. Born in Blanchard, Oklahoma, to William Lloyd Smith and Helen Iona Wagner, Cal was raised in a rural farming family. After graduating from high school, he joined the Air Force, marking the beginning of a distinguished career in the aerospace industry. Cal dedicated 25 years to this field, working on a multitude of projects, from his involvement with the start up of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, to working on the space shuttle program.

In the early 1990s, Cal relocated to Grand Junction, Colorado, with his beloved wife, Dana. There, he successfully ran a pavement maintenance business for another two decades before retiring. He was a long-time resident of the Western Slope.

Cal is survived by his seven children: Sherrie Lee Weatherford, William B. Smith, Gary D. Smith, Andrea L. Roberson, Connie S. Chaples, Bryan W. Smith, and Justin Lloyd Smith, and between them, a multitude of Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Dana Lynn Smith, who passed away in 2022. Cal's legacy includes a life of hard work, dedication, and a gratefulness to his wife and her parents for making him a better man.

Dana Lynn Smith - January 4, 1949 – September 17, 2022

Our beloved Dana Lynn Smith was called Home on September 17, 2022, at the age of 73. Born to Ancel and Alfleta Arnold on January 4, 1949, in Lebanon, Illinois, Dana's early life was marked by frequent moves as she followed her Methodist minister father across various states. She lived in Wilmore, Kentucky; Milledgeville, Ohio; Atlanta and Dalton, Georgia; Flint, Michigan; and Buckeye, Arizona. Dana was actively involved in Youth Pastorship and Choir in the Church, as well as school sports. She adored horses.

In 1966, Dana's family moved to Long Beach, California, where she attended Woodrow Wilson High School and played xylophone and clarinet in the school band. She pursued studies in Marine Biology and earned a BA in Accounting from Long Beach City College. Dana worked at several notable institutions, including Beverly Hills Great Western Bank and Poncho Santa Fe Savings and Loan, before securing a position in accounting with Garrett Aerospace Industries (now Honeywell).

At the age of 27, Dana was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a condition that she bravely managed throughout her life. She married Calvin Smith, her cowboy, on December 18, 1977, and they had two sons, Bryan and Justin, while living in Southern California. The family moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, in 1992. Despite her illness, she still managed two boys, a husband, a home, a small business, various horses, steers, pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, and the various wildlife in rural Colorado.

Dana was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, and friend. She helped all she could and touched the lives of many without even realizing the extent of her impact. Dana entered rest in Reno, Nevada, surrounded by loved ones, including her husband of 45 years. Her unwavering faith, kindness, and strength remain an inspiration to all who knew her.

A Joint Legacy

Together, Calvin and Dana Smith shared a beautiful life filled with love, faith, and dedication to their family. They leave behind a legacy of resilience, kindness, and love.

Funeral Services

A joint memorial service for Calvin and Dana Smith will be held on June 24th, 2024, at 1:00pm at the Veterans Cemetery in Grand Junction, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in their memory to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society