Delon Smith’s Obituary and Remembrance

General

Delon’s obituary was published today in the Las Cruces Sun-News. The link to the obituary (and the online guest book) is http://www.legacy.com/LCsun-news/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=103222315. Since the link will only work for a short time, the obituary reads as follows:
DeLon Smith
1945-2008
DeLon Smith beloved brother, father and grandfather passed away Friday, February 8, 2008 at the age of 62. He was born to Nathan LeRoy Smith and Mary Burton Smith on June 26, 1945 in Preston, ID. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Southwest Indian Mission from 1964 to 1966. He married Nelma Jean Powell on June 30, 1973 in Price, UT. He is survived by his wife, brothers: Roland, Nate, Ross, sister: LaRella (Larsen), children: Cheryl (Anaya), Kenny, and Curtis, step-children: David Nuttall, Mike Nuttall, Gail Peak, and Karen Nuttall. He also survived by three grandsons, nine step-grandchildren and one great-grandson. The viewing will be on Wednesday, February 13 at 10:00 am. in the LDS chapel at 3210 Venus St. with services to follow at 11:00am. Burial Cleveland, ID.

Services have been entrusted to the care of La Paz-Graham’s Funeral Home 555 West Amador Las Cruces New Mexico (575) 526-689.

Delon was the relative I was closest to as I was growing up. We spent a lot of time together at Grandfather Smith’s (Delon’s father) calcite operation in Treasureton, Idaho. We got our amateur radio licenses together when we were about 13 (my call sign was KN7OJL … I don’t remember Delon’s callsign) and had a great time working together on electronics. Delon’s interests went from there to music which has played an important role in the rest of his life. He was an accomplished pianist and loved to play the small grand piano in his living room … perhaps his most prized material possession.

Photography was another of Delon’s passions and he made many photographic excursions into the back country of northern New Mexico and southwestern Colorado. The last time we were together, we spent one very delightful afternoon together in old town Las Cruces photographing. He had a very good eye for the composition of a scene.

It doesn’t seem possible that we won’t be doing anything else together in this life. Rest in peace, Delon. I miss you.

3 thoughts on “Delon Smith’s Obituary and Remembrance”

  1. Roland,
    I am one of Delon’s CSC co-workers. I’ve worked with Delon since 1998 at Holloman AFB NM. We were all shocked and saddened over Delon’s death. Delon will be missed by all of us who worked with him. Unfortunately, due to work schedule I won’t be able to attend the funeral. Despite the sad reason for your trip here, I hope your family enjoys the time spent together.

  3. Roland,
    I hope you are safely back home and all is well with you. I have a question. Did anyone ever record DeLon when he played the piano? I had no idea of his talent in that respect and would dearly love to hear something he played, if so.
    God Bless,
    Debbie

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