Lloyd Victor Smith

Lloyd Smith

Manti, Utah

Lloyd Victor Smith, 91, of Manti, Utah completed his earthly journey and was welcomed into the loving arms of our Savior in Payson, UT at the Central Utah Veterans Home on February 18, 2016. Lloyd was the first born to Victor Francis and Annie Lee Crandal Smith on September 14, 1924 in Savanna, Oklahoma. He lived all of his youth in southern Arizona. Lloyd was the first to graduate from Mesa High School with his diploma and certificate in Auto Mechanics. He attended Arizona State University where he received his Master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Education.

At the young age of 18 Lloyd enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp during WWII serving in the battle of Tarawa where he was severely wounded and later received the Purple Heart from Admiral Chester Nimitz. After his recuperation he was assigned to Terminal Island Prison where he set up a program to know the location of the inmates at all times.

After completing his education he remained in Arizona where he taught school for 3 years and was also head of the psychology department at Arizona State University. His career in education led him to San Diego where he worked for the Cajon Valley School District testing and placing students. While working in the school system he had his eye on a beautiful 5th grade teacher named Miss Mickelson. The dating was short but the love affair will be eternal. They were married June 18, 1960 in Richfield Utah, solemnized in the Manti Temple Dec 12, 1961. They were later blessed with a tiny baby girl Vickie Ann and another baby girl Tamara Arlene.

Lloyd’s entrepreneurial spirit led him into many professions and business ventures where he was very successful due to his work ethic and determination. His greatest accomplishment was founding the Clinic for Reading for Educational Advancement in El Cajon, CA where his passion for learning and reading helped a countless number of children and adults. In 1974 he sold his schools in San Diego County and moved his family to Manti, Utah. During his time in Manti he worked for Central Utah Education System and was the superintendent of North Sanpete School District. He purchased Manti Lumber and established Williams and Smith Construction building close to 300 homes in central Utah. From there his ventures took him to Juneau, Alaska where he worked for the Alaska State Prison System evaluating inmates. In 1984 he returned to San Diego to build and manage a storage and U-haul business. Returning to Utah in 1990 to semi retire while continuing to tutor students.

Lloyd is survived by his wife Arlene; his children: Craig, Debby and Steven Smith (from a previous marriage); Vickie (Jack) Robins Salina, Tammy (Dane) Tom Pleasant View; 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, sister, Mary Lou Davidson and sister, Elsa Lee.

There will be a huge void in our family with the loss of our husband, father and grandfather. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the caregivers at the Veterans Home who so lovingly cared for our dad over the past 2 years.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 12:00 Noon in the Manti 8 ^TH Ward Chapel (Red Church), 300 South Main, where friends may call Friday from 6-8 p.m. or Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30. Interment will be in the Manti Cemetery with military rites by the Manti American Legion Post #31. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.