Partly Cloudy, 70° F
(June 21, 1922 - Jan. 10, 2011)
Scott Haskell Smith, 88, of Greybull died peacefully on Jan. 10, 2011, at West Park Hospital in Cody.
Scott Haskell Smith was born on June 21, 1922 in Greybull, the fourth son of Silas Thales Smith and Elvena Sessions from Shell Creek, where they ranched. He had two younger sisters.
He went to Shell School from first through eighth grades, and then attended Greybull High School, where he was elected class president of the freshman class. During his junior and senior years, Scott played football, one of many sports he enjoyed, either as a participant or as a spectator, throughout his lifetime.
During semester break of his senior year, Scott joined his mother and siblings in Provo, Utah, where he completed high school at BYU Academy. He also took college classes at Brigham Young University. He returned to Shell Creek prior to serving two years as a missionary for the LDS Church in the Northern States Mission. Because of his lifelong love of music, a highlight of his mission was singing in a traveling male quartet.
Shortly after returning from his mission in 1944, Scott resumed his acquaintance with a young lady, LaRae Kinghorn, and soon asked her to be his eternal companion. Scott joined the U.S. Navy, and during a leave following boot camp, Scott and LaRae were married in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple on Aug. 9, 1944. They lived in San Diego, until Scott completed his military service, and then returned to Wyoming to begin farming and ranching on the family property on Shell Creek.
Scott and LaRae shared an intense desire to raise a large family, and Lynda, the first of their eight children was born in 1946. In the following 16 years, Nancy, Robert, Joel, Janet, Michael, Donna and Sharon arrived to complete their family.
Life on the ranch was a great way to instill in their children values that Scott and LaRae held dear, to include a strong work ethic, a love for animals, nature and our nation. For the family livelihood, Scott worked with his father in the operation of the farm-ranch.
The family operation also consisted of permits where they could graze their cattle six months out of the year on federal land. The yearly fall and spring round-ups were greatly anticipated by family members and friends alike.
While Scott loved ranch life, he often declared that his greatest sources of joy and happiness in life were his family, his many friends and his service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Scott’s many callings in the church over his lifetime have included Bishop of the Basin-Greybull Ward, Counselor in the Worland Stake Presidency, Stake Mission President, and Young Men’s President.
Together, Scott and LaRae served a mission in the St. George, Utah, area. In addition, Scott and LaRae loved the opportunity to serve for many years as temple workers.
Scott loved the Big Horn Basin. When someone was in need, he was among the first to assist, and his contagious smile and unconditional love for people endeared him to those he met.
Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Thales and Elvena Smith; his beloved wife, LaRae; his son Joel; grandson Ryan; and two great-grandchildren, Betsy Julianne Pyrah and Joseph McKay Boone.
Scott is survived by his children Lynda (Kurt) Pyrah, Nancy (Steve) Jensen, Bob (Janice) Smith, Joel (deceased) (Robyn), Janet (Terry) Mollenbrink, Mike (Sheridan) Smith, Donna (JoDee) Bassett, and Sharon (Tim) Miller; 30 grandchildren; and 77 great-grandchildren.
Viewing visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 14 at the Greybull/Basin LDS Chapel from 6-8 p.m. and again on Saturday morning from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday morning. Burial will be in the Whaley Cemetery. Haskell Funeral Home in Lovell is in charge of arrangements.
A memorial fund has been established at Bank of Greybull for the benefit of The Whaley Cemetery.
