Owen Cooper Smith

Owen Cooper Smith passed away February 27, 2022 at age 91, just 11 months after the passing of his beloved wife Sherry. Owen was born in Denver, Colorado on December 1, 1930 to Clarence Ray and Genevieve Cooper Smith. He had an older brother Wayne Homer Smith.

Though city-bred and son of a Denver businessman, Owen had dreams of being a farmer. Owen consequently attended Colorado A&M (now CSU) to study agriculture. While at college, Owen’s mother and future mother-in-law concocted a plan by which Owen would meet Sharyn Cox at a church social. The plan worked, and Owen and Sherry were married in 1952. The day after the wedding, Owen, having completed an ROTC program in college, reported to Camp Carson as a 2nd Lieutenant for active duty in the army. Six months later he was sent to Korea. The war was winding down by the time of his arrival, and Owen never saw active combat and safely returned to his wife to begin farming.

Owen and Sherry bought a small farm east of Fort Collins in 1957. Farming proved to be financially challenging however, so Owen supplemented his income by teaching at nearby Plummer School, a rural 2-room schoolhouse. Eventually the dreams of being a farmer ended, and Owen pivoted to a career in public education. In this profession he excelled. For many years he taught science at Lincoln Junior High, during which time he was recognized as Colorado Teacher of the Year. Over time he moved into an administrative role. Among his accomplishments was the establishment of ‘Eco Week’, a multi-day outdoor science experience for 5th graders that continues to this day.

While in Korea, Owen was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he and Sherry subsequently embraced membership in the church. Owen and Sherry were a big part of the growth of the church in Fort Collins, performing and receiving countless acts of kindness. Owen served in many church callings, including bishop of the Fort Collins 2nd Ward. He and Sherry were very active in family history, and together they served as volunteer missionaries at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. A highlight of Owen’s church life was the dedication of the Fort Collins Temple in 2016.

Owen was a man of many interests. While in his mid 50s, he earned his private pilot’s license, and purchased an interest in an airplane. He once flew solo to the Western slope of Colorado on a business trip, returning with an adopted dog that became a beloved pet. Also in middle age he developed a passion for running, and most weeks would run fifteen to twenty miles a week. This he did well into his seventies. He had a love of music, learning to play the piano, guitar, and banjo. He’ll be long remembered for the cowboy songs he sang to his children and grandchildren.

Owen is survived by his son Jeffrey (wife Merikay) of Darnestown, Maryland, and daughter Jennifer Haubenreiser of Corvallis, Oregon, and grandchildren Genevieve and Justin Smith.