Ralph Francis Smith

Ralph Francis Smith

SOUTH OGDEN - Ralph Smith passed away at Legacy House of Ogden on Tuesday March 30, 2010 at the age of 89.

He was born May 12, 1920 in Ogden, Utah to Robert L. and Edith Shaw. In his youth, he was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America. He attended a National Boy Scouts Jamboree in Washington D. C. and toured the Eastern United States in the summer of 1935.

He was reared and educated in Ogden, graduating from Ogden High School in 1937, the final graduating class from the original high school. He also attended Weber College in Ogden and Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, Utah. He graduated from Utah State in 1943. While attending school at Utah State, Ralph participated in Aircraft Flight Training and obtained his private pilot''s license while pursuing his scholastic degree from the college.

Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army while attending college and participated in the advanced R.O.T.C. program for military training at the college. Upon graduating from Utah State, he was selected for additional military training and sent to Camp Davis, N.C. and attended officer''s candidate school. Upon completion of military service he returned to Ogden, Utah.

Ralph married Elizabeth Stoddard January 19, 1946 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The marriage ceremony was performed by the President of the L.D.S. Moapa Stake.

Ralph and Elizabeth enjoyed annual vacations with their children to places that were both interesting and educational. After the boys were grown, Ralph and Elizabeth enjoyed a number of overseas and local trips together.

Ralph retired from Hill Air Force Base as a Personnel Management Technician after 31 years of service in the Civilian Personnel Office.

Surviving are his four sons; David (Sandy) Gardnerville, Nevada; Brad (Patti) Windsor, Colorado; Mark, Ogden, Utah; Brian, Layton, Utah; and one sister, Lucille Zimmerman, Orem, Utah. He also had many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all of his family.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife (May 2002), his parents, one son (died at birth), one sister, two brothers and one great-grandchild.

Ralph stated that he did not want any funeral services and that it was his desire to be cremated.

Cremation under the direction of Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary. Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com