Virgil Bushman Smith, 73, left mortal life Saturday, March 28, 1998 at his home in Orem.
He was born January 4, 1925 to Hyrum and June Bushman Smith in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. His early schooling was in Salt Lake City and Palmyra, New York, where his parents were caretakers of the Cumorah Farm. He graduated from Brigham Young High. During World War II he served as a weather specialist in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the U.S. and Europe. After filling a Church mission in Minnesota, he served as a teacher and leader in Church organizations and as a temple worker.He had a lifelong love of learning, and earned two degrees at BYU: a B.S. in Sociology and an M.S. in Education, Church History and Philosophy. At the University of Utah he earned a Graduate Certificate in Social Work, and at Utah State University earned a Ph.D. in Social Psychology. The knowledge he prized most was a testimony from the Holy Spirit to his spirit that the LDS Church is true.
He married Carol Fisher in 1953 and they had two sons. After their divorce, he married Geraldine Bearnson of Spanish Fork, Utah, and they have a daughter. He has 11 grandchildren.
He has been a social worker, a writer and editor for the LDS Church and others, and a professor and researcher. His writings include a weekly college newspaper column, research reports in professional journals, articles and charts in Church magazines, the book MORMON BASIC BELIEFS, poems, courses for personal development, and educational audio cassettes.
Survivors include his wife; sons, Matthew (Debora) and Jeffery (Jan) in California; daughter, Trina (Leslie) Kinakin, in Orem; 11 grandchildren, six step-grandchildren; brother, Marvin (Gayle); and sister, June (Ellsworth) Clark in Salt Lake. Brothers and sisters who died earlier are: Don (Naomi) and Oliver (Barbara), Lois (George) Whitaker and Dorothy (Ellsworth) Clark.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 1998 in the Aspen 5th Ward Chapel at 965 West 2000 North, Orem. Friends may call Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem or on Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the chapel.
The family is grateful for caring doctors, nurses and hospice personnel who sincerely gave to his comfort and needs. We thank you.
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