SMITH, Harley Kenneth

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Harley "Kenneth" Smith, a resident of Chino Valley, passed away at the age of 67 on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006, due to cancer, under the care of YRMC Hospice through to the end. Ken was born on April 25, 1939, in Stuart, Iowa, the son of Charley Smith and Emma (Caviness) Smith. Ken was united in marriage to Evelyn Gay Smith (deceased, Sept. 2, 2006) in Phoenix on April 11, 1959. He served in the United States Navy from 1958-62, where he had obtained the rank of petty officer 3rd class when honorably discharged. Ken served as a foster parent for 19 years in California, while also running his own business (Tri-Mold) as a mold maker. Their first foster/adopted children were welcomed to their home in 1967. In 1976, their fourth natural son was born. The family moved to Chino Valley in 1985 and continued with foster parenting and excelled in operating a professional foster parent home. Ken was certified as a professional foster parent in 1989, which is also when he became officially retired as a mold maker. He continued caring for foster children until his wife of 47 years passed away on Sept. 2, 2006, and at that time he made a decision to retire from foster care. Ken was honored in April 2004 with the Foster Parent of the Year Award for all his outstanding achievements, accomplishments and service to the community by the Governor of Arizona. Kenneth is survived by his sisters Lucille Wolfe, Carol Robbins, and Beverly Holder; his brothers Charles Smith, Leland Smith, and Jim Smith; 15 children; seven legal guardianships; 27 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Kenneth was loved and respected by many and will be missed by all. Throughout his lifetime he opened his home to over 500 foster children. Ken's opinions and recommendations on children throughout the foster care community were respected by all, be it judges, case works, therapists, etc. The family will be receiving friends and neighbors from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3 at the Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, corner of Cortez and Carleton in Prescott, with a Celebration honoring the life of Kenneth at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Prescott Heights Church, 2121 Larry Caldwell Drive, followed by burial at the Chino Valley Cemetery, Rd 2 South in Chino Valley, Information provided by survivors.