SMITH, John L.

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ June 21, 2007 John L. Smith, 58, of Show Low died Friday, June 15, 2007, in Lakeside following a brief illness. Mr. Smith was born Aug. 12, 1948, at Lamar, Colo., the son of Joseph and Eunice Copeland Smith. He was raised in Lamar and graduated from Lamar High School in 1966. He later graduated from the Kansas State Vocational School in Liberal, Kan.. He lived in Hugoton, Kan., for 10 years where he worked for Halliburton. He later lived in Guymon, Okla., for eight years working as a heavy equipment operator before returning to Lamar where he worked as a system administrator. He came to Show Low two years ago where he was employed by the city of Show Low. John had many hobbies including fishing, boating, camping, computers, carpentry and mechanics. He was a US Army veteran of the Vietnam War and was of the Christian faith. Survivors include his wife, Linda of San Angelo, Texas; mother Eunice Ancell of Lamar, Colo.; three daughters, Mandy Humphrey (Chad) of Offerla, Kan.; Neta Raff (Gary) and Jaci Stedl all of San Angelo, Texas; son Josh Smith of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two sisters Edna Schwartz (Les) of Lamar, Colo., and Jo Large of Pueblo, Colo.; brother Jerry Smith (Doris) of Lamar, Colo.; three grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and nephew Joey Bingham. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 23, at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Lamar.