Carl Richard Smith

Carl Richard Smith, age 48, passed away on September 15, 2021 after a valiant battle with Covid-19 at Sutter Roseville Hospital, in Roseville, California. His dear wife, Rebecca, was at his side.

Carl was born on January 30, 1973, in Moses Lake, Washington to Vern and Kay Smith. He spent his first eleven years in Warden, Washington growing up on the Smith farm. He loved playing on the farm and going to work with his dad, riding around in the pickup.

Following the death of his parents, he was cared for and raised by his sister and her husband, Sharla and Jim Hales. The family spent three years in Provo, Utah where he attended 6th through 8 th grades, three years in Las Vegas where he attended 9th through11th grades, and then moved to Minden, Nevada where Carl earned his Eagle Scout award and graduated from Douglas High School. After high school, Carl served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Columbia, South Carolina Mission.

Carl earned an associate degree from Ricks College in 1995, and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Utah State University. While at Ricks College, Carl’s attention was drawn to a lively, happy young woman, Rebecca Wilhelm, whom he sat behind in Social Psychology class. Carl and Rebecca quickly became best friends and were married on August 4, 1995 in the Oakland, California LDS Temple. They were married for twenty-six years.

Carl spent his entire professional career as a special education teacher with Horizon Charter Schools, where he recently completed twenty years of dedicated service. He was beloved by his students, their parents and his colleagues.

Throughout his life, Carl was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many different callings, including most recently as Sunday School President. Carl especially loved serving and interacting with children and youth. He was delighted by the authenticity and joy of children.

Family meant everything to Carl and he was a very dedicated husband and father. Besides spending time with his family, Carl enjoyed drawing, organizing his home, listening to podcasts and watching nature shows. He loved to laugh and enjoyed anything and everything goofy. Carl loved being outside and savored the beauty of this world. He had a calm and gentle nature and was loved by all who knew him.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Rebecca, and three sons Carson, Gavin, and Ashton; siblings Mark (Annette), Sharla (Jim), Kari (Mike), Diane (Stan), Linda (Rick), Lilly (Robert) parents-in-law, Tommy and Marjorie Wilhelm, and siblings- in-law Chris (Jody), Rachel (Bryan), Jenifer (Paul), Jaynann (Travis) and Sam (Devin). He was a favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Saturday, September 25 at 3621 Elverta Road at 11:00 am. Services can also be viewed via the following Zoom link:

https://zoom.us/j/84280814451?pwd=NXgrRXlrYnZ5MnRHbmwxS2hkRzBVQT09

(please copy and paste the above Zoom web address into your browser)

PLEASE NO FLOWERS. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation via Venmo to the college fund for Carson, Ashton and Gavin: @smithboyscollege (phone verification 5318).

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