Obituary: SMITH, MERRETT

Merrett T. Smith 1926 ~ 2012Merrett T. Smith passed away on August 19, 2012 after a long illness with Alzheimers. Merrett was born on May 14, 1926 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended and graduated from American Fork High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1947. Merrett was a renowned photographer, having photographed all of the LDS church presidents from David O. McKay to Thomas S. Monson. He also did official portraits of U.S. Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Ford and Bush plus many more church and cabinet officials. Many stars and influential people have also been his subjects. He has had galleries in the old Theater in the Round in Bountiful, Utah plus the Osmond Theater in Orem, Utah and Branson, Missouri. Merrett was the owner of Jay Lynn Portrait Studio from 1955 to 1968. At that time he moved to Century City, California. Merrett has traveled all over the United States and several foreign countries teaching and demonstrating photography. He loved his profession and went to work every day a happy man knowing "If you think you can, you can". That was his motto. Merrett is survived by his wife Gail Abel Smith, two sons and four daughters. Jerry Smith, Richard Smith, Sandra Webster and Gail live in California. Daughters Kathy Ash, Joy Howard and Sue Sullivan live in Utah. Daughter Theresa McArthur passed away in October 2009 from cancer. Gail and Merrett just had their 68th wedding anniversary. They have 33 grandchildren and 60 great grandchildren. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the American Fork North Stake Center, 975 North 60 East. A visitation will be held from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Online memories and condolences may be shared at andersonmortuary.com.