Lester Smith

Name - Lester Wayne Smith



Age - 70 years old



Death Date - January 15, 2017



Place of Death - Spanish Fork, Utah



Suspected Cause of Death - Passed peacefully in his sleep



Date of Birth - April 20th, 1946



Lester Wayne Smith, was born in Rigby Idaho to Lester Ralph Smith & Charlotte Bowman Smith. Wayne passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on January 15, 2017. He had spent the last year being sick off and on with numerous medical conditions such as infections, a heart-attack and longtime back pain from injuries while working at Geneva Steel many years ago. Dad married our mom Katheryn Rae Hatfield on January 18, 1972, they would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this week.



Dad was a jack of all trades; there wasn't anything he couldn't figure out how to do, whether it be construction, auto mechanics or even taxidermy. He worked at Geneva Steel for 11 years before needing to medically retire due to back injuries. Dad enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and all things cars, building them and racing them. He raced at Suntana Raceway in Springville for 8 years where he made many friends as well as great competitors. He was affectionately called Smilin Wayne Smith. Dad love the years he spent racing at Suntana. Those years have very fond memories of time spent as a family at the race track every weekend all season long. Dad wasn't the most affectionate or vocal guy about things, but he was passionate about everything he did. He never really had to tell you something, because he made you feel it...no words needed. He passed his knowledge and curiosity on to his sons, just by us being in his presence.



Dad always put everyone else first, he was a very hard worker when his body would let him and tinkered on everything. Dad may have looked like the grumpiest man at times, but he was really truly a big old teddy bear who loved his family deeply.



As we all were looking through our old photos, digging up memories of time gone by it showed us all how much were going to miss Dad, we sure did have a lot of fun with dad. Camping trips, hunting, fishing, countless hours in the driveway working on whatever projects one of us dreamed up, or him trying to help us get our vehicles repaired enough to just get us to work safely dad was always so willing to help anytime we needed it. All great times!!! Take a lot of pictures of life passing you by, one day you might need them to remind you of the good times. Dad we're going to miss you, hopefully you can be proud of what you taught each one of us over the years. Rest in Peace Smilin Wayne.



Dad is preceded in death by his father; Lester Ralph Smith; mother Charlotte Bowman Smith; brother Robert Bruce Smith; sister Shirley Anne Smith Hodge; and grandson Jacob Wayne Smith.



He is survived by his loving wife Katheryn Rae Hatfield Smith, his children Misty (Warren) Gavin; Jason (Ashley) Smith; Michael Smith, Jennifer (Corbin) Smith, 7 grandchildren, Tyler Gavin, Keylee Gavin, McKenzie Smith, Taylor Smith, Hayden Hanks, Ashton Hanks, Alyssa Shumway and 1 great grandchild Charlotte Gavin, as well as his siblings and their spouses; Ralph Vaughn Smith, Medicine Lodge ID; William Eddie Smith, Enid OK; Charlene Smith Sappington, Coarsegold CA; Donald Lamar Smith, Idaho Falls ID; Carol Dee Smith Duston, Kaysville UT.



A viewing will be held Friday January 20, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Legacy Funeral Home, 3595 N. Main Street, Spanish Fork, UT followed by graveside services at 1:00 p.m. at the Spanish Fork Cemetery.



In lieu of flowers please make a donation to either our gofundme account or youcaring account.