Kenneth Smith

Kenneth Albert Smith, 71, passed away on August 31, 2017, at his son’s home in Meridian. Ken was a “stand-up guy who likes to sit down a lot.” He lived the best kind of life, a life filled with some of life’s most aspired achievements and inspiring triumphs over adversity. He was born on January 13, 1946 in Long Beach, California to John Mervyn Smith and Corabel Helen Taylor. “Kenny,” as he was known during his childhood, spent sharing in adventures with his best friend and brother, Jay. They spent many summer days at Disneyland. He also loved music and competed on the steel guitar as a kid, then picked up the snare drum at Orange High School, and later joined the Cougar Marching Band at Brigham Young University where he received a Bachelor’s in Education. He played the piano by ear, playing old honky-tonk and cowboy tunes while singing in his clear tenor voice. He loved singing hymns and classic American folk songs in harmony with his wife and eight sons, known simply as “the boys”.

He had many successes in life, all completely and absolutely dedicated to raising his sons to be faithful, loving and dedicated husbands, fathers and Disciples of Christ. The boys were Ken’s biggest mission in life.

Ken and Maralee are survived by their eight sons, seven daughters-in-law and twenty-one grandchildren, all dedicated to preserving and growing the Smith legacy. Through Ken’s dedication, many thousands of lives have been blessed all around the world. On August 31, 2017 he returned to home to be with his wife Maralee once more and forever.

Ken’s funeral services were held on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the burial followed at Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain Home. Arrangements were under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home.