Kenneth McNeil Smith

Born November 3, 1930, in Salt Lake City, Ken was the oldest of five children of Kenneth Edwards and Mary Bennett Smith. He cherished his childhood spent with siblings and cousins, especially weekends in Midway at the family house and hiking the Brighton mountains with his cousin Dick. A proud Eagle Scout, he supported the Scouting program throughout his life. He graduated from East High School in 1948.

Ken was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He often set aside time at family events to bear his testimony and discuss family history. He served a mission in London in 1950, forming a lifelong love for the United Kingdom. A favourite memory from his mission was the time he spent travelling with President McKay, looking for a location to build the London Temple. His favorite callings were those working with youth, including Bishop, Young Men’s President, and Scout Master. He also treasured his time on the General Hosting Committee in the 1970s, welcoming visitors from around the world.

A loyal Ute, Ken earned both his bachelor’s degree in Accounting (1956) and MBA (1962) from the University of Utah. He was active in Sigma Chi, the award-winning Sigma Chi quartet, and in student leadership as the Freshman Assistant President and the University Student Body President in his senior year. Some of his family’s happiest memories are attending games, performances, and campus events with him including weekly basketball games and performances at Kingsbury Hall. In the summers, Ken would sit with his grandchildren around the campfire and teach them the Utah Fight Song.

After college, Ken served in the United States Air Force as a backseat navigator on the B‑47 Stratojet. He later joined his father at Kenneth E. Smith Co., helping grow the business from an appliance store to a large general contracting company where he worked his entire career.

Ken married Carol Christopherson on March 8, 1963, in the Logan Temple. They shared 63 years together and raised five children—Christine, Kenneth, Jennifer, Douglas, and Richard. Their family grew to include 24 grandchildren and 9 great‑grandchildren. Despite a busy life, Ken always made time for those he loved. His grandchildren will forever remember late‑night home-made ice cream in the kitchen, a listening ear when they needed help and his presence at major life events, wherever they were in the world.

Ken had a beautiful singing voice and a deep love of music. Evenings often found him standing beside Carol at the piano, singing. He also loved the outdoors—snow and water skiing, hiking, camping, and river rafting. His favorite place was Jackson Lake, where he spent 61 summers with his family. At 94, he was still kayaking and boating to Moran Bay.

A natural friend‑maker, Ken built relationships that lasted a lifetime. His SFOEM (Second Friday of Every Month) group - a beloved group of friends - met faithfully for more than 70 years, gathering for the last time just nine days before his passing.

Ken is survived by his wife Carol; his children Christine (Joseph) Jensen, Kenneth (Melanie) Sanders‑Smith, Jennifer (Jeffrey) Dansie, Douglas (Ann) Smith, and Richard (Elizabeth) Smith; and his sister Elaine (Stuart) Cannon.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 9:30–10:45 a.m. at the Mt. Olympus Stake Center, 4176 Adonis Drive, Salt Lake City, followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.