IN LOVING MEMORY
Our loving father, Kenneth Wayne Smith, passed on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins, Utah. He was born on December 16, 1931 in Giles, Texas, the first of five children to Albert Thomas (A.T.) and Roberta Smith. He had one brother and three sisters. Ken had three children with his first wife; Darlene, Dorothy and Darrell, four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Ken was kind, smart, hard working, loving, successful and dedicated to his faith. He was a Son, Brother, Navy Engineer, Husband, Father,
Cowboy, Contractor, Businessman and Pilot. Ken was enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean war and served as an Engineer on the USS Saint Paul Navy Battleship. He was an
Honorary Escort to the U.S. Navy Admiral to ensure his safety from ship to shore. Ken earned the Korean Service Medal and United Nations Medal and several other medals of honor and recognition. In 2019 he was awarded a special Medal of Honor by the Korean
government for his service. Ken traveled to New York on an Honor Flight to receive this prestigious Medal of Honor. On June 18, 1971 Ken married LouAnn Lane in Grand terrace, CA. They were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple for time and all eternity on March 14, 1976. Ken was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings. He loved serving the Lord and had a strong testimony, He and LouAnn moved to Kanab in 1984 and into the Kanab 2nd Ward. Ken and LouAnn were a big part of the ward family for many years.
It was Ken heart’s desire to be laid to rest next to the “Love of His Life” LouAnn Smith. He is survived by his two sisters Dottie and Earliss, his three children, four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 3:00 PM in the Kanab 2nd Ward at 604 South 100 East in Kanab, Utah. There is a visitation from 2:00 – 2:45 PM prior to the service. Burial in the Kanab Cemetery with full military honors.
I was so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. I knew Ken for several years while and LouAnn lived here in St George. I was impressed with his energy and his stories. I went with him out to Kanab when he was retrieving his trailer from his former home. His property there in Kanab was very impressive and he was happy to have sold it to just the right couple.
He told me many stories about his life. He was very proud of learning at a young age to drive big Caterpillar tractors, a skill that served him well his whole working life.
He was proud of his service to our country during the Korean War and having been close to the Admiral and the Captain of his ship. They knew him, liked him, and relied on him.
He was also proud of his family. He loved LouAnn and made sure she was was well cared for. When he could no longer care for in the way that he had, he went with her to the memory unit at the Retreat, a very nice senior care facility. He stayed there after she passed away until he was able to get a place at the Veterans home in Ivans.
His son and daughters and grandchildren were a source of pride and love for him. I heard about his son’s Excavation Business and Ken was proud that his son followed in his footsteps. His daughters being grown, beautiful, and talented also him very proud.
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of his autobiography and read his life story with amazement; a life well lived.
I am so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. I lived next to Ken for a few years in Kanab. He was a GREAT neighbor, and always lent me a helping hand when I needed it. I really do miss him, and would love to read his autobiography, glad he got it done.