Sharyn Cox Smith passed away April 6, 2021 at age 88, following a battle with cancer. Sherry was born in Denver, Colorado on October 10, 1932 to Orson Henry and Iva Grinnell Cox. She has a younger brother, Thomas Cox. Sherry was raised in the Park Hill neighborhood in Denver and graduated from East High School then attended Colorado University where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority.
Sherry married Owen Cooper Smith on December 14, 1952 in Denver. The day after their marriage, Owen reported to Camp Carson as an Army Lieutenant, and six months later was sent to Korea during the final phases of the war. After Owen’s safe return the couple, both city-bred, embarked on a farming career. Farming opportunities took Sherry to the Boulder area, Loveland, and finally to a farm east of Fort Collins in 1957. Owen's career transition to teaching in the public schools brought them into the city, where they have lived since. They were married over 68 years and are parents of two children: Jeffrey Wayne Smith and Jennifer Lee Haubenreiser. Owen and Sherry were sealed as an eternal couple in the Salt Lake City Temple in 1955.
Sherry was a homemaker during her children's younger years. She was a Cub Scout leader and a Girl Scout leader. As she loved reading, she later enjoyed working in a bookstore. Returning to school to build computer skills, she then spent ten years teaching word processing at Front Range Community College.
Sherry and Owen have been active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints throughout their marriage. They served as missionaries in Salt Lake City at the Family History Library, and then for many years volunteered at the Fort Collins Family History Center. They served as ordinance workers in the Denver Latter-day Saint Temple for ten years. A highlight of Sherry's life was being able to worship and serve with Owen in the Fort Collins Temple once it was dedicated in 2016.
Sherry was keenly interested in family history. She spent many years researching her own family, especially in her later years when she had both time and computer knowledge. She shared her expertise freely, mentoring many others in doing family history. Sherry served as the director of the Ft. Collins Stake Family History Center for many years.
Sherry is survived by her husband of 68 years, Owen C. Smith, her son Jeffrey (wife, Merikay) of Darnestown, Maryland, her daughter Jennifer Haubenreiser of Corvallis, Oregon, her grandchildren Genevieve and Justin Smith, and her younger brother Thomas Cox of Denver.
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