SMITH, Dalbert LaVar

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 08/06/2004 Dalbert LaVar Smith, 68, died Aug. 2, 2004 at his home in Snowflake. He was born in Baker, Oregon and grew up in Portland and Gresham, Oregon and in Mesa, Phoenix and Lehi. He joined the U.S. Navy in March 1953 and served until his honorable discharge in Nov. 1956. He served as a cook aboard the US Illusive, which was a mine sweeper. This ship was soon after taken out of service, however it was put back into active duty during the Gulf War. Dalbert married Vivian Willmore on June 1, 1956 in Long Beach, CA. He began working in a paper mill in Los Angeles in 1957. They moved to Snowflake in 1961 and he was one of the start-up employees of the Southwest Forest Industries Paper Mill. He worked as a paper maker there until he retired in 1998. Dalbert has been a life long active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as soon as he retired he and Vivian were called to serve a mission for the church in Knoxville, Tenn. After returning home they were called to serve as Temple Workers in the Mesa Temple and after the Snowflake Temple was completed and dedicated they worked there until his health failed as he battled with cancer. Dalbert was a High Priest in the Snowflake 2nd Ward. Dalbert enjoyed traveling with his wife to the many points of interest all across the United States. He also kept up on current events as he loved to read the newspapers. Throughout his life Dalbert loved reading the scriptures and always tried to make their teachings a part of his life. Dalbert is survived by his wife, Vivian of Snowflake; four daughters, Debra (Ron) Record of LaQuinta, California, Karen (Stan) Newton of Elk Grove, California, Marvel (Jeff) Elliott of Kingman and JoAnn (Leon) Ungerman of Mesa; three sons, Wayne (Rhonda) Smith of Las Vegas, Nevada, Bert (Cora) Smith of Springville, Utah, and David (Kathleen) Smith of Mesa; four brothers, Jerald of Gresham, Oregon, Floyd of Squaw Valley, California, Henry of Fresno, California and Bill of Renton, Washington; five sisters, Elsie Kelley of Gresham, Oregon, Fannie Berry of Phoenix, Ruby Lee of Redmond, Washington, Darlene Hopkins of Portland, Oregon and Velva Nolen of Portland, Oregon; 38 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ruby Elliott in 1995. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday Aug. 9 at the Snowflake Stake Center, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a visitation one hour prior to services at the church and from 6-8 pm. Sunday Aug. 8 at Owens Mortuary in Snowflake.