SMITH, Michael

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ March 4, 2011 Michael Smith, 64, of Concho died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at Summit Healthcare in Show Low. He was born Sept. 16, 1946, in Cushing, Okla. to J. P. and Lorene (Anthis) Smith. He graduated from Roswell High School. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam Era. He was married to Marian Chamberlin in 1970 in Albuquerque, N.M. Michael attended New Mexico State University, earning his masters degree in agricultural economics in 1973. He worked for the Bureau of Reclamation from 1974 to 1980, and for the Bureau of Indian Affairs from 1980 until retiring as Superintendent in 1999. He and Marian moved to Concho just prior to his retirement. He was of the Disciples of Christ faith. Michael enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and the outdoors. He was also an avid woodworker and loved to build things and to teach his daughters to build also. Survivors include his wife, Marian; two daughters: Wendi Heredia (Mario) of Casa Grande and Michelle Morris (Timothy Jr.) of Concho; his mother, Lorene Wilkinson (George) of Guthrie, Okla.; four grandchildren: Antonio, Rafael and Gabriel Heredia and Michael Smith. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 4, at Black's Mortuary Chapel in Show Low. Visitation will be held Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the mortuary. Arrangements are under the direction of Black's Mortuary of Show Low. Sign an online guest book or offer private condolences at www.blacksmortuary.com