Keith B Smith

age of 96 years. Just short of his 97th birthday, he and Donna had very recently celebrated their

78th wedding anniversary with his favorite, sour cream lemon pie.

He is survived by his loving wife, Donna Mae Dunn Smith, by his daughter-in-law Lydia, and by

four of his sons and their spouses: Kirk & Lizhen, Jeff & Kathleen, Brad & Irene, Cory & Lisa.

He has 19 surviving grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren, as well as numerous other

relatives and friends.

He joins his parents, Ellen Chapman Atkinson Smith and William Henry Smith, as well as his

brother, Roger, his oldest son, Rick, a daughter-in-law, Lois, and a grandson, Dustin, in Heaven.

Keith wrote in his personal history about dating Donna, “How incredible it was that Donna was

‘going out’ with me and we were in love. I kept thinking, ‘how could that be?’ and how lucky I

was.” They were married on October 17, 1945.

When Keith’s father died in 1973, he and Donna took his mother, Ellen, to live with them for the

next 24 years. They also fostered two Native American young men, Peter, and Tim Maho.

Donna and Keith also hosted several of their grandchildren during their college years, and a

young woman from Brazil, named Neide, who is very special to them.

Keith and Donna lived most of their lives in Salt Lake City and Orem, Utah. As a young man,

Keith worked for O.P. Skaggs Grocery Store. His job at Wonder Bread (Continental Baking

Company) lasted 24 years. Keith worked for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for

some time as a custodial foreman. He spent the final chapter of his career as an environmental

engineer employed by Geneva Steel Company

Keith had a deep and abiding faith in God and Jesus Christ as a lifelong member of the Church

of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He believed that love is at the center of Jesus Christ’s

gospel. He wrote, “Love is an all-conquering force that solves almost all of our problems. The

love which radiates from Jesus Christ, and which we must have to return to live with Him, must

be acquired while we are here on earth (before we die)”. He accomplished that.

Keith served in many positions in the Church over the years, including that of Bishop and Stake

Presidency member. He and Donna served a two year mission to the West Indies, another to

Scotland, as well as a mission for the Church Educational System. He was a temple worker in

the Provo Temple. Later, he and Donna served as temple workers at the Columbia River Temple

after moving to Yakima, Washington to live nearer to their son’s families.

Throughout his life he danced with Donna, sang songs, wrote an entire book of poetry, tinkered

in his shop, built a house for his family, created zipper art, laughed and loved his whole family.

When he was a young 82 years old, he wrote, “My beautiful wife, my family and all the people

I’ve met and known, that’s what makes a difference and what makes a good life here on earth,

and looking ahead, to be together in the eternities to come.”

The family would like to extend special thanks to the wonderful nurses at Memorial Home

Health wound care and the loving staff at Ellen House.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday Nov 2. There will be a viewing at 10:00 AM

followed by services at 11:00 AM, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel at

4307 Englewood, Yakima, Washington.