Roger Alan Smith

Roger Smith started his journey on the 31st of March, 1962 in Ogden, Utah to parents Sharlaine (Baird) and Russell Arthur Smith and went home to his Heavenly Father on the 3rd day of September, 2021. Roger’s early years were spent living in the town of Moxee, Washington where he attended East Valley High School and graduated in the class of 1979. In his youth, Roger pursued both sports and music until his true love came along in the beautiful form of Judy (Thompson) Smith. After graduating high school, Roger enlisted into the United State Air Force in 1980. During his time in the Air Force, he served as an Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist in the 92nd Munitions Maintenance Squadron and was Honorably Discharge in 1984. He achieved many notable accomplishments during his time in the military but none as important as marring the love of his life, Judy, on 10 April, 1982.

With a new family emerging, Roger gained the trade skill of a CNC Machinist, but being a man with a heart for the Lord, he also followed a new path into ministry in 1987. From the years 1990 to 1993 Roger earned an Associate of Arts from Nazarene Bible College, and a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Armed with the love and passion from the Heavenly Father, and a now his completed family of five, Roger set off into full time service for the Lord’s Kingdom. For the next 20 years, Roger faithfully brought joy, compassion, love, hope, and strength to the communities of West Seattle, WA, Oceanside, CA, Kelso, WA and Oklahoma City, OK. Roger truly stood as a man after God’s own heart as a pillar of light and truth to these communities, touching the hearts and souls of hundreds. Roger never met a stranger and he saw everyone as equal members or future members in the Body of Christ.

While living in Oklahoma City, Roger continued to serve others in his efforts as a Fatherhood Manager with Public Strategies. Roger’s intuitive ability to mentored men into being their best self for their families and community was a rare quality. It was at this time he started on a path of earning his Masters of Business Administration, which he completed in 2008, from Southern Nazarene University. Roger possessed a rare ability to accomplish anything he set his mind to and for the next 10 years, Roger discovered a passion for the renewable energy sector and this transitioned into a second career for him. This new path would lead him to become an Associate Professor at Oklahoma State University, Associate Wind Site Manager with NextEra, Mid Region Sales Manager with WECS Renewables and finally a Market Sale Engineer with Campbell Scientific in Logan, Utah.

Roger had many talents and traits. His amazing ability to listen to a song and then turn around to play it on the guitar or piano helped him to write songs for his wife, kids and grandkids on any instrument that could produce the tone and melody he wanted. Roger was an outdoors man who could slap a bug off his arm and then recreate the prefect fly for the trout he was fishing for. He was known for hiking the nearby trails of Logan, Utah with his wife and constant shadow, Junior, his black lab. Roger was a man that could find joy and happiness in anything he did because his truly possessed it in his heart.

Roger’s defining trait was his love for his family. Paramount to Roger’s ethos was demonstrating unconditional love, compassion, and mentorship as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son. He would always open presents early, listened first and spoke second, and was a champion for the underdog. Roger is survived by wife, Judy Smith (58) and children: Matthew Smith (36) and wife, Katrina (grandsons Griffin, Jonah); Amanda O’Connor (35) and husband, Dandy (grandchildren Caden, Tegan, Tatum), and Danielle Cory (31) and husband Austin (granddaughters Emery, Adaline, Josie). Also, his father, Russell Smith and wife, Sue and siblings, Ronald Smith, Richard Smith and Rebecca Uribe.

A Memorial BBQ and Internment Service will be held in late spring of 2022 in Roger’s hometown of Yakima, Washington. To honor Roger’s memory, the family invites you to consider a donation to the USU Equine Experience Program for Veterans and Military Service Members for the creation of an outdoor gathering space. For more information and to make a donation, please visit https://www.usu.edu/advancement/rogersmith