Beaver High School

Ross Hal Smith - 4/3/2011

Class of 1950

Ross Hal Smith, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, died peacefully at his home of natural causes on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Hal was born to Ross H. And Vilda Murdock Smith on November 17, 1931 in Beaver, Utah.

He married his high school sweetheart Nell Thomas in the St. George LDS Temple on May 1, 1951. This May would have been their 60th wedding anniversary.

Hal spent his entire life living and serving in the community of Beaver, Utah. Always a loyal and proud son of Beaver County – he graduated from Beaver High School in 1950, then attended the Salt Lake Area Vocational School to hone his barbering skills, graduating in 1951.

For more than 17 years, he worked diligently beside his father in the Village Barber Shop. During this same time, he also worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a fireman and as a part time realtor. In 1970, he became a real estate broker and established Rockin ‘O’ Real Estate. A true "jack of all trades," he was a real estate developer, rancher, poultry farmer, hunting guide and ran a boy’s dude ranch.

Additionally, he served his community in the Jaycee’s, where he received the "President’s Award" in 1955 and the "Key Man Award" in 1956. He was an avid and dedicated supporter of the Scouting Program. In1967, he received the Silver Beaver Award for 25 years of service. Hal made hundreds of friends all over the world through his guide and pack company. He loved golfing, trap shooting and traveling the globe with his lovely wife, Nell. Together they toured 29 countries, sailed all seven seas and came to love and appreciate many cultures and countries, but their hearts always drew them back to Beaver and their friends and family.

He cherished the time he spent with his three sons, his daughter and their families. Hal was considered a man of great integrity and generosity, often assisting others financially without any desire for recognition.

He loved and honored his country, teaching his children and others to appreciate the freedom this great land offers. He was, without any doubt, proud to be an American.

We are certain a joyous reunion is taking place above as Hal is reunited with those who preceded him in death. He is reunited with his parents, brother Dan, sister Eleanor, grandsons Danny Smith and Roger Paul Smith.

He is survived by his wife Nell Thomas Smith and children Roger (Paula) Smith, Jeff (Jeanne) Smith, Patti Yardley and Alan (Jacki) Smith. Also his 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, all of whom he adored and will miss him dearly.

His hard work and service has instilled in his posterity a desire to follow in his footsteps.

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