Grant M. Smith

Grant M. Smith

Our kindly, dignified, gentle father, Grant M. Smith, 101 years old, passed away June 2, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He had lived with his daughter’s family for the past 10 years. 

Grant was born on January 2, 1923 in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada to Clarence Bolen Smith and Kate Lee Smith. He was the seventh of nine children, who lived on a ranch in Raymond, Alberta and rode horses to school together.

A defining moment in Grant’s life occurred when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WW II. He trained and served as a radio operator and navigator in the China Burma India theater of operations. He would sometimes share stories of hair-raising adventures “flying the hump” of the Himalayas. Whenever he was thanked for his military service, he would respond, “And I’d do it all again.”

Following his military service, Grant married Marie Lamb in the Cardston, Alberta temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) Sept. 10, 1946. He was a lifelong member of the Church. Grant and Marie had three daughters, Diane, Marilyn (who preceded them in death in 1999) and Nancy. Their affection, respect and support for one another provided a wonderful example of what a marriage should be. Marie passed away in 2013. They’d been married 67 years. 

Shortly after marrying, Grant and Marie travelled to Provo, Utah, where Grant earned a BS and MS in geology at Brigham Young University. After graduating, they just kept moving south until they landed and stayed in a spot, they felt was the best place anyone could ever want to live-Roswell, New Mexico. Grant used to refer to their home for more than 50 years on Rancho Road as a “place of peace.” 

Grant really enjoyed his career in geology. He even liked being gone, sometimes for weeks at a time, tending an oil well in the middle of nowhere. He was highly respected for his knowledge and experience as a petroleum geologist in the western U.S. At age 90 Grant finally retired from Hanson Operating Co., a place and people who were dear to his heart.

Grant, our favorite ol’ cowboy, will be deeply missed by his daughters, Diane (Bud) Spencer, Nancy (Kent) Goodliffe, son in law, Jack Anderson, 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. We’ve been so blessed to share in his wisdom, kindness, humor and love over the past few years. 

A viewing will be held Thursday, June 13, 2024 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Ballard Funeral Home.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, June 14, 2024 at the Ft. Stanton Veterans Cemetery in Lincoln, New Mexico.