10-19-50 -- 3-12-99
In the early afternoon hours on March 12, 1999, T.J. Smith, an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at home while in the presence of his family, due to a long, hard battle with cancer.He was born October 19, 1950 in Ogden, Utah to Vina Lee Vernon and Benjamin Arvel Smith. He served in the U.S. Military from 1970 with honorable discharge in 1976. He then later married his sweetheart and lifetime companion, Kathy Rose Moore, July 1, 1977 in Las Vegas, Nev. T.J. was a good man, loving, kind and honest in his dealings with other people. T.J. was a self starter and a hard worker who was employed maintaining and repairing many homes. For the past 12 years he was employed at the University of Utah as a Certified Journeyman Roofer and for Facilities and Engineering Dept. up until his diagnosis with lymphoma in 1996. What was most important to T.J. was working to make sure his family was happy and taken care of.
He enjoyed many things in life, especially his wife, being with his four boys, T.J., Jr. (Ben), Jason, Vernon, Bryan, granddaughter, Ashley, his motorcycles and his home. T.J. adored his granddaughter, Ashley, and loved spending time with her and teaching her many things. Ashley would always say, "We are best friends, huh grandpa!" We love you with all our hearts, you will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy, children, granddaughter, and six sisters, two brothers, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by mother, Vina Lee Vernon, brother, Vernon Smith, sister, Wanda Smith.
We want to give special thanks to T.J.'s friends and co-workers at the University of Utah for their love and support.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 18, 1999, from 3-5 p.m. at Memorial Estates Mortuary, 5850 So. 900 East, Murray, UT.