In Loving Memory of Jeffery Paul Smith
Las Vegas, NV – Today we had to say goodbye to our beloved Jeffery, who passed away at Sunrise Hospital on Saturday, June 23, 2018 from heart failure and other internal complications. He was surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, and loved ones at the time of his death and we are grateful to say that he died peacefully and without suffering.
Born on February 20, 1950 in Brigham City, UT to Dee and Ida Smith, Jeff started working at his father’s grocery store in Brigham at 12-years old. He attended high school at Box Elder High, playing on the golf team, and playing basketball, where he was honored with being on the Utah All-State under 6’ team. He also always told his family members that he played the frenchhorn in high school (although there was much family debate as to the truthfulness of this claim and he could never provide adequate proof). He attended Utah State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and also Weber State University for a time before he decided to go to work in the family business, Smith’s Food King, on a full-time basis around 1970.
Jeff worked hard and moved up quickly in the company ranks. He worked as a regional manager at Smith’s in his mid-20’s. He enjoyed working side-by-side with his father and brothers, as the foundation was established for what became one of the top grocery chains in the western United States. In 1984, his father Dee passed away from a brain tumor. Jeff was always so close to his dad and this devastated him, while also leaving him with the task of running a chain of 115 grocery stores at the age of 34. He felt the weight of the financial well-being for thousands of employees and the entire family. Many of Smith’s suppliers at the time believed that the company would either have to sell or would meet financial ruin, doubting the ability of a young executive like Jeff to handle such a large task.
He proved all of the doubters wrong. In 1987, just three short years after taking over the helm, Smith’s surpassed his father’s original goal of 1 billion dollars in annual sales. By 1991, the company hit 2 billion. When the company was sold, annual sales exceeded 3 billion dollars. In 1989, Jeff also led the company through a successful IPO that overnight changed the financial future for the entire family and for the many faithful employees within in the company that had held onto their shares of Smith’s stock. Jeff continued to provide steady leadership in the company until it was eventually sold through a series of mergers that provided shareholders with returns that could not have been imagined previously.
Jeff’s impact and success at Smith’s Food & Drug was not just financial. He followed the philosophy established by his father and created a company that truly cared for its employees. He would frequently be found out in the stores, shaking hands with employees and listening to their ideas and concerns. To those that worked closely with him, they knew him as a brilliant decision maker as well as a man who sincerely cared for and listened to the people around him. Jeff was the very best at getting people to do those things that they didn’t believe they could do. He was admired and respected, and people still talk about his impact in their lives today.
Jeff had two things that were important to him: his business and his family. He was a wonderful and devoted family man. His children grew up always knowing that they were loved. Busy as he was during his career at Smith’s, he always made time for his kids. He told his secretary, Corina Williams, that if his kids ever called the office, she was to immediately get him out of a meeting – no matter what. Family was a top priority and weekend time was always family time for him. All of his kids can recall the many trips to Lagoon amusement park, movies, arcades, and otherwise.
He also established rich family traditions, getting the family together for holidays in Palm Desert and Hawaii. Strong bonds were formed with children and grandchildren as he watched his family continue to expand and grow. He always took time with the family as a whole, as well as individual special moments that each of his children can look back upon with gratitude and love.
Jeff also enjoyed golf for most of his life. Some of his best years were spent playing golf with his brothers, sons, and close friends. He kept a chart of the top 100 golf courses in the United States and played the majority of those courses with those he was close to.
Jeff was so generous to those around him. Before his mother passed away in 2006, Jeff called her nearly every day. He kept true to the values instilled in him by his mother and father to be charitable and giving to those around him. Many people were benefitted by his generosity and love.
In 2015, Jeff married Rose Stout on the beach of San Diego, CA. Rose was an absolute angel in Jeff’s life and served him in devoted love at a time in his life that became difficult with his slowly deteriorating health. She loved him totally and completely until his last breath. The entire family is eternally grateful for her unconditional love and devotion to him. She will forever have a place in our family.
Jeff is survived by his wife Rose Stout Smith, his children Sean (JaNae), Jaci, and Josh (Erin), brothers Fred (Elaine) and Richie (Julie), and grandchildren Brayden, Madison (Royce), MaKenna(Matt), Alyssa, Mitchell, Taylor, and Brynlee.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Sunrise Hospital, who demonstrated such compassionate service and worked so diligently to save his life.
Dad always had his own unique way of doing things. In respect of his wishes, we will not have a traditional funeral service, but instead will have a small, family service where we and a few close friends will celebrate his life and remember the good times with him. He always said that he did not want the end of his life to be a time of mourning, but rather a time of celebration and remembering the wonderful times together. It was also his request to have his ashes spread over the oceans in Hawaii, a place that he loved and resided for many years later in his life.
We will miss Jeff dearly, but we also know that he is at peace and is reunited with his father, mother, and loved ones on the other side of the veil. We are grateful to know that after this mortal life we will see him again. In the meantime, we will look back at his life with thanksgiving and appreciate the impact that this wonderful man had on each one of us. People may die, but love is eternal. We will not forget.
