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Kent Douglas Smith, was born November 13, 1943 – Salt Lake City, Utah in the Holy Cross Hospital. His Mother and Father were: Annetta Lister Smith and James Carlyle Smith He struggled for several years with Lewy Body Dementia which gave way to Parkinson that took his life June 3rd, 2015 at 10:35 AM pst. In the last year cancer was found in his jaw and sinuses. He died in San Luis Obispo, California with his wife, Dottie by his side. Kent is survived by: His wife Dottie Smith, His older brother John Larry Smith, younger brother Robert William Smith. Four nephews, One niece, One great nephew, and two great nieces. Kent was cremated in California and his ashes were spread over his beloved Cedar Mountain. There were no services from him. However there will be a headstone to mark his Father’s and Kent’s last resting place at the Cedar City Cemetery for all the visit and reflect. The family moved to Cedar City, Utah in 1945. Growing up Kent enjoyed playing all sports. He always thought he had to play the game only one way and that was the right way, practicing for hours in the family backyard at whatever sport the season held. In 1951 Little League Baseball came to Cedar City. the first town south of Provo to have Little League Baseball. In the early spring of 1951 the Fathers and Sons created the first Little League ball diamond in Cedar City. Yes, Kent was there with his older brother and his father, working many hours to help with the completion of the park. Kent was on two All Star Teams from Cedar, one going all the way to Sacramento, California and was only one run away from going to the Western Regions. Kent competed as he lived ALL IN! all the way into College. Kent loved the game of football where he was the starting full back for the Cedar Redmen. Coach Hal Norton once told me that Kent was the hardest hitting full back he had ever coached. He also loved the game of basketball and was on the hgh school varsity team. Kent loved fly fishing and golfing in the summers with Steve Judd. You could find them on a golf course somewhere in Southern Utah and then on the nearest fishing pond or stream the rest of the day. He went on the higher education starting at the College of Southern Utah, where he attended for two years playing baseball for the school with his longtime friend, Steve Judd. The team in 1963 went to the College World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado where they were one of the best teams there. Kent continued his degree at the University of Utah. He was also a Captain in the United States Air Force. ROTC at U of U. Served 1 year in Cambodia in Intelligence with the Air Force. That would have been 1968 69 I believe. He married Kathy Truman and moved to California. He continued his quest for his Doctorate finishing with a Doctorate in Statistics while he was teaching at Cal Poly. He was one of the authors of a statistics textbook which has been published in several printings. Kent continued to teach there until a year ago when he retired because of illness. He also had his own billiard business, selling pool tables and stuff. I think it was with Brunswick pool tables. He also played on a pro tour as well. Dottie told me he was really good. She said his Pool pro name that he went by was "Doc".The way he met Dottie was through Ballroom dancing.They won several competitions and were well known for that. They traveled all over the world together.
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Jack D. Large
I've only seen one of my classmates since the day after graduation, a fact I much regret. Most, I'm sorry to say I don't remember too well any more, and such were our nascent habits, even then, that the ones I do remember best went on ahead of Kent. We were never cronies, Kent and I, but amiable friends, and that's how I do remember him best; it was that amiability. There has never been enough of it, and I'm as much at fault as anyone, but there was no harshness in Kent. It's a sad and sorry loss.
Judy Matheson (Cutler)
Kent Smith. Though I was a year older I have many fond memories of playing basketball with Kent Smith. Kent was a very good ball player and was a main backup player on the 1961-62 team. I remember him and Mugzy Stokes coming into the game with Dixie at Dixie when Neil Roberts was out due to injury and Steve Calhoun was in foul trouble. He was a major reason we won that game. I'll always have great memories of Kent Smith. I look forward to meeting him again. He's no doubt now playing ball in his mansions on high.V. Blaine Cutler, class of 1961
Antone Pryor
From his time as a little leaguer Kent was one of the hardest working and most dogged individuals I ever knew. I remeber the hard rubber pitching contraption he had constructed in his back yard and the endless hours he spent honing his throwing skills. That same determination was spent on math and every other subject at school as well as a number of atletic pursuits. You just had to know that Kent had the "right stuff" and that he was one of those who would find his way in this world.
The last time I saw Kent was at what was probably the first and only class reunion he ever attended; probably our 25th. It was not a happy time for him. He was in a lot of emotional pain following a recent divorce and spoke of trying to "connect" with a place and people that recalled less troubling emotions.... and less cynicism. I don't know if he ever found such a place or people but I certainly hope so.
He will be remembered fondly.
Antone Pryor
Bonnie Clark (Despain)
All night Monopoly or Canasta games, learning to drive in my mom's car, movies and dances, trips to Bryce, dinner in the canyon, sunburn recovery after field day, so many good times. Kent was very much a main thread through all the growing up years. We stayed in touch up through his diagnonsis and it is painfully clear how sporadic that really was. I'll miss the almost intense and always interesting letters that made me wish for less geographical distance and more time.
Kent Farnsworth
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Kent. He was a true friend. We spent much time together from little league days through High School. He was an accomplished athlete and scholar. I will remember him even more for his genuiness and integrity. One memory that is particularly poignant to me occurred with the passing of his father during the fall of our senior year. He watched our football practice from a distance for a few days, then returned with that commitment and focus that characterized all that he did. He never spoke of his own accomplishments which were significant, preferring to defer to others. I will remember his with fondness and respect.
Ronald Carpenter
His smile in the yearbook picture is a reminder that Kent's whole personality smiled and it was contagious. He was smart, playful, friend to all, and devoid of pretense. I have fond and pleasant memories of our association, and that lifts my spirit. May he now rest in peace, and may we all be blessed for having known him.