Christopher Dale Smith

Christopher Dale Smith passed away on February 4, 2024 after a brief illness resulting from an aggressive brain tumor.  

Chris was born February 7, 1957, and often spoke of his fond memories of growing up in Manteca, a small California town in the northern San Joquin valley. He graduated from Manteca High School and earned an associate degree in criminal justice from San Joaquin Delta College.  He also studied photography at Brooks Institute in Santa Barabra.  

He dreamed of being a U.S. Marine but was too young to join.  He enlisted in the Army and served during the Vietnam War as an MP.  He spent most of his time at Fort Ord, California.   After receiving his honorable discharge, he began his career as a civilian with the Depart of Defense, first in California and then in Utah.  He retired in 2019 after more than forty years of service.

He loved his Baptist faith and felt fortunate to have traveled to the Holy Land.  He was proud to have been baptized in the Jordan River in Israel.  

Chris’ favorite pastimes were spending time in his “gopher hole” (the basement), checking in on the weekly amateur radio net, and watching old westerns.  Marshall Dillon was a great favorite.

He was active in the Davis County Amateur Radio Club and loved coming home from the monthly meetings with a door prize.  He considered the Club’s annual swap meet as one of the highlights of the year.  He owned more scanners and handheld radios than any one person should own, and proudly displayed his call sign – K7CDS – wherever and whenever he could.  

As an amateur vexillologist (flag-enthusiast), he collected and proudly displayed hundreds of flags on the flagpole at his home and made a ritual of changing them out every few weeks to honor various holidays, commemorate national events, and provide a conversation-starter for the neighborhood.  He was a member of the North American Vexillology Association and travelled all over North America to attend their annual meetings.  

When he traveled, his preferred mode of transportation was the train. He didn’t care that he would have to catch the train at midnight and arrive at his destination at 5 a.m.  He didn’t mind that a trip on the train might take three days, when a flight could get him to his destination in four hours.   For Chris, the journey itself was the best part of the adventure.  He felt the same way about life.

Chris is survived by his wife of 25 years, Janene, his brother David Smith (Karen), and his sister Barbara Rocha (Joe).  His parents, Harvey and Joetta Smith, preceded him in death.

Graveside services will be held Saturday February 10, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at the Spanish Fork Cemetery, 420 South 400 East, Spanish Fork, Utah.  Friends may visit with family Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No./ Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.

Interment, Spanish Fork Cemetery.