Allen Gardner Smith, age 78, passed away unexpectedly at home due to heart failure on Saturday, September 20, 2014, in Delta. Allen was born on April 24, 1936, to Thomas X. Smith Jr. and Arvilla Allen Smith in Rexburg, Idaho. He met the love of his life, Patricia Kay Brinkerhoff, while performing in a community play in Salt Lake City. Allen and Pat were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on May 12, 1961. Allen served as a missionary in the Gulf States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He and Pat later served as missionaries in Australia, St. George, Cove Fort and Delta. Allen was a lifelong missionary, sharing the gospel with anyone who would listen and giving away many a Book of Mormon.
Allen served many church positions including High Priest group leader, Bishop, Counselor in the Stake Presidency, and as Welfare Services Region Agent. He and Pat were blessed with eight children and twenty-seven grandchildren. They raised their children in Lehi, UT then moved to Delta, UT where they currently reside. They also resided in St. George.
He is survived by his wife: Patricia; children: Brandon (Sandi) Smith, Londen (Karen) Smith, Pamela (Evan) Gordon, Jordan (Lana) Smith, Jana (Jason) Woffinden, Jenifer (Jared) Smith, Kristy (Brooks) Davis, Kimberly Smith Garrison; and 26 grandchildren. Siblings: Tommy, Barbara, Charmaine, Larry, Steve, David, Kristine and Vaughn. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister: Jean; and grandson: Ammon.
Allen dearly loved his family, the gospel, and ice cream (in that order). He worked hard his entire life. He owned and ran his own agricultural business for 40 years. He worked his last day on this earth from sunup to sundown. His motto: "By the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou shalt return unto the ground...for out of it wast thou taken" Moses 4:25
There will be a viewing at the Nickle Mortuary on Thursday, Sept. 25 from 6-8pm. Funeral services will be Friday, Sept. 26, at the Deseret-Oasis LDS Ward building at 11:00am. There will be a viewing prior to the funeral, 9:30-10:40am. Burial will be in the Delta City Cemetery.