Cloudy, 53° F
(July 28, 2007)
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 2 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church in Powell for Clifton Ray (Skip) Smith, 79, who died Saturday, July 28, at the Powell Valley Care Center.
He was born Nov. 7, 1927, on the family farm to Otto and Francis Smith and lived all of his life in Powell. During his youth, in addition to helping with the family farm, he was active in FFA and received the award of American Farmer.
He married Shirley Usher in Lincoln, Neb., on Aug. 9, 1959. From this union the family grew with two daughters, Larissa and Wendy, and one son, Bradley.
In 1965, Skip began to fulfill is dream of building a cabin in the mountains in Crandall. He was an avid fisherman, both fly and reel, as well as a hunter of Wyoming game and birds. He especially enjoyed sharing the cabin with family and friends for elk hunting, fishing and hiking.
Skip served in the Wyoming National Guard, serving in Japan and Korea (1946 to 1947), as well as active duty in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952. He retired in 1972 with the rank of major having been the Battery “A” commander for two years from 1963 to 1965. He continued as a member of the 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (“the Cowboy Cannoneers”) and was proud of the contributions he made while in the service of his country. In 2004, Skip was inducted into The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, a brotherhood within the Field Artillery Association.
In 1952, Skip began his career at the U.S. Post Office. He retired after 39 years of service after achieving the designation of Superintendent of Mails.
He was a member of the following organizations: Elks Lodge (charter member), the American Legion (commander for one year), Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce, Powell Kiwanis, the Union Presbyterian Church (elder 1973 to 1976) and the Korean War Veterans Association.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Shirley; son, Bradley (Germany – Iraq post) and sons Cody and Clifton; daughter, Larissa (Charles Stone) of California and children Brandie, Ryan and Angelo; daughter Wendy (James) Bailey of San Jose, Calif., and children Jordan and Kelly; brother, Denman (Janet) Smith of Kent, Wash.; sister, Betty Rockhold of Powell; sister-in-law, Jeannette Smith of Powell; nephews, Warren (Barbara) Smith of Fairbanks Alaska, Spencer (Laurie) Smith of Powell, Kurt (Peggy) Smith of Wrangles, Alaska, Regan (Wendy) Smith of Powell, Steve (Tammy) Rockhold of Aurora, Colo.; two nieces, Kathryn Smith of Vashon, Wash., and Virginia (David) Mangin of New Zealand. There are also numerous great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dick Smith; sister, Dorothy Cline; and brothers-in-law, Orville Cline and Jack Rockhold.
Burial will be at the Powell Crown Hill Cemetery immediately following the service.
For those who wish, the family requests donations be given in Skip’s name to the Northwest College Foundation, 231 W. 6th St., Powell, WY 82435, or a charity of choice. Thompson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
