CLEARFIELD — A Clearfield man with a lifelong heart condition has died while on an LDS Church mission in the Seattle area.
Elder Scott Robert Smith, 21, was playing basketball with fellow missionaries April 11 when he suffered a full cardiac arrest.
As a result of a lack of oxygen to his brain, Smith remained comatose at Valley Medical Center in Renton, Wash., until he died Monday.
His father, Larry D. Smith, president of the Clearfield North Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said his son had had no physical limitations from the defective heart, other than at times losing normal stamina.
Kathy Smith, Scott's mother, said her son had two childhood surgeries to correct the heart defect.
"The doctors indicated he would be fine, the rigors of a mission would not be dangerous to him," Larry Smith said. The only precaution taken for Scott Smith, who was due to return home in August, was that instead of traveling by bicycle, like most missionaries, he would travel by car.
"Although it was tragic and unexpected, you always realize there is the possibility of something like this happening," Larry Smith said.
"We don't believe this is a tragedy. We just believe this is a plan," he said. "We are saddened to lose him. But we are not questioning God. The Lord has been kind to us."
Sander Larson, president of the Seattle mission, said Smith had a marvelous work ethic and smile.
"He was such a likable missionary," President Larson said. "He left his mark and we will all be the better for it."