Blaine Smith passed away Saturday, Feb. 5. He was born in 1936 to Earl and May Smith. He married his high school sweetheart, LaNeva, and had seven children and dozens of grandchildren.
Blaine loved people and forged deep friendships. He consistently and constantly served others and watched out for people in need. His concern was genuine, and he served with his own labor and resources.
As a student, Blaine was known for his antics and pranks — many for which he should have been arrested! Always popular with his peers, he enjoyed attending Wasatch High School where he was known for his athletic talents in football and basketball.
His adult life began when he joined the U.S. Army serving in the U.S. occupation of post-war Germany. Voting was important to him and he encouraged everyone to cast their ballot. He successfully operated his businesses Smith’s Meats in Heber City, Utah, and Dependable Welding in Evanston. The small farms he ran were another obsession and he used these resources to provide for his family.
Blaine was a lifelong active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. Mentoring dozens of young men, including his four sons, to the rank of Eagle Scout gave him great satisfaction. The prestigious Silver Beaver was awarded to Blaine for his dedication to scouting
On Oct. 5, 2021, Blaine contracted COVID, although he was fully vaccinated. After seven weeks of hospitalization and rehabilitation, Blaine returned to his Provo Jamestown apartment. Blaine never fully recovered from this debilitating disease.
Blaine was preceded in death by his precious wife LaNeva, his parents, and all of his siblings. His living family includes Sue and Matt Grizzle, Phoenix, Arizona; Shirley and Wayne Carlston, Hurricane, Utah; Sharon and Joe Webb (and the late William Pacheco), Lyman; Steve and Barbara Smith, Evanston; Sheldon Smith and Jason Fish, Farmington, New Mexico; Stan and Emily Smith, Provo, Utah; Shane and Jennifer Smith, Payson, Utah; and many grandchildren.
A viewing will be held on Friday, Feb. 11, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Heber Family Funeral Home, 288 North Main, Heber, Utah. On Saturday, Feb. 12, a second viewing will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by his funeral service at 11 a.m., at the Daniel Ward Chapel, 2285 South Daniel Road, Daniel, Utah.
