Deseret News, May 18, 2002.
Alvin – “Beloved of All”
J. Alvin Smith, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed from this life on May 16, 2002.
He was born in Salt Lake City on October 14, 1915 to Alvin Fielding Smith and Amelia Atkins and was the grandson of Joseph F. and Edna L. Smith. He loved his family and the Lord and always honored his heritage in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Alvin attended Salt Lake City schools and graduated from the University of Utah in business in 1941. He moved to Glendale, then Burbank California during World War II to work at Lockheed Aircraft. He married his sweetheart, Marguerite Rees, on Valentine’s Day in 1942 and the recently celebrated the 60th wedding anniversary. While in Southern California he decided to study optometry. Before finishing school he was drafted and served in the army medical corps until the end of the war at which time he completed his studies. He practiced optometry in Burbank for 50 years and was grateful for the opportunity to help so many see more clearly.
Alvin loved the out of doors and was an avid sportsman. Although he loved home best, he enjoyed his travels to Australia, Mexico, the Pacific Islands, China, Hong Kong, Scotland, England and any place with beautiful mountains and good fishing stream. Since moving to Provo in 1991 he has enjoyed following BYU athletics and made many new friends.
His service in the Church includes a mission to Australia where he first met Marguerite, many years in the youth programs including Regional Young Men’s Superintendent in Southern California, bishop, bishop’s counselor, high counselor, a couple mission to Hong Kong, and temple ordinance worker in Los Angeles and Provo. He served as a Stake Patriarch for over 30 years in Burbank, Hong Kong and Provo.
He is serviced by his wife, Marguerite, and their nine children and spouses: Sydney and Noel Reynolds of Orem, Utah; Rees Alvin and KayLynn Smith of Santa Clarita, California; Kathleen (Tinka) and Robert Eliason of Ventura California; Craig M. and Marilyn Smith of Sandy, Utah; Douglas F. and Suzanne Smith of Spokane, Washington; Robert J. and Tammy Smith of Foothill Ranch, California; Steven D. and Melanie Smith of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Florence and David Knecht of Mission Viejo, California and Daniel T. and Anne Smith of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
He is also survived by 56 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren who will miss him dearly. His greatest joy in life was his family of six sons and three daughters who loved and respected him as their dearest friend and role model. He encouraged them to get a good education and particularly to be true and faithful to their covenants.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. in the Pleasant View 5th Ward Chapel, 1060 East 2400 North, Provo, Utah under the direction of the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home of Orem, Utah. Friends and family may call at the Church from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to service. Interment will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Anyone wishing to send condolences to a family member, please visit our website at www.walkerfamilymortuaries.com.