D. Alden Smith

Don Alden Smith, 95, passed away January 28, 2017 after a lingering illness due to advanced age. Alden was born in Snowflake, Arizona to Don Carlos Smith and Nellie Hansen on May 4, 1921. He spent his youth in Snowflake, but then moved to Mesa with his family. Alden entered high school in Mesa, graduating from Mesa High School in 1939. While there he met his wife, Wilma Knudsen. They were married for eternity in the Arizona Temple on May 7, 1941. Alden served in the US Navy during World War II as a Radio Technician. After the war, he attended Utah State University in Logan, UT and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1949. Alden and Wilma built their home in Mesa, where they lived and raised their family until 1955. At that time, they moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico where he had the opportunity to work for the Atomic Energy Commission. He attended many tests of atomic and hydrogen bombs both in the South Pacific and in Nevada. In 1958, they returned to Mesa where he got a job with Motorola. He worked for Motorola for over 30 years. Wilma passed away in 1995, after 54 years of marriage. In 1997, Alden married Ruiece Gardner, and they spent 10 years together before her death in 2008. Alden was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many positions. He was preceded in death by his two wives Wilma and Rueice, parents, two daughters Dawn and Peggy, grandson David, and sisters Margery and Guida. He is survived by his daughters Jamie Ellsworth Lynn, LuAnn Payne Rob, sons Dwight Smith Eddeania, Craig Smith Kathleen, 24 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. He was loved and respected for his great example by all of his family. Visitation will be at Meldrum Mortuary, 52 N. MacDonald, on Friday, February 3, 2017 from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 11 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15 W. 1st Ave, Mesa, with a visitation preceding at 10 am.