Kay Gerald Smith

Kay Gerald Smith - loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend to so many - died July 9, 2023, surrounded in his last days and hours by his family.  He was 88.

Born November 11, 1934, in Beaver Utah, he was the oldest child to Adah Kirkham and Karl G. Smith with two younger siblings, Kirkham and Karleen. 

Kay spent his boyhood days in Beaver, going to school and playing with friends in the neighborhood. When he was old enough he helped milk the cows morning and night and helped irrigate the pastures and alfalfa fields. Kay learned how to work hard and shared this value with his children and grandchildren throughout his life. As a young boy he was asked to play taps on his trumpet often in the cemetery for services for soldiers killed in World War 2. He had a great love for his country.

Kay moved with his family to Shelley, Idaho in 1952 when he was a junior in high school. 

He always had work he did at various employers and played the trumpet in the high school band. He met his future wife, Mardi Lurlene Mallory, in high school when she asked him out. He later told her how grateful he has been all his life to have met her then.  

Kay and Mardi married April 16, 1954 in the Idaho Falls temple. They have been faithfully and lovingly married for 68 years, enjoying their relationship and the long life they have been blessed with. Soon after marriage, they moved to Renton, Washington while Kay was in the military. He served in the Army as a cook and artillery specialist. They later moved to Provo, Utah to attend Brigham Young University and then to Southern California to attend dental school at the University of Southern California. He graduated Phi Kappa Phi and then settled in Sacramento, California where he established his dental practice for 28 years. Kay and Mardi lived there until 1996 when they made their final move to Rocklin, California.

Kay and Mardi loved their family and welcomed four children to their family.  Gregg (Pat), Cynthia (Steve), Alan (Lisa) and Julia (Jon). Kay lost his daughter Cynthia to cancer in September 2021 and then his dear wife Mardi in February 2022. These were trying times for him emotionally, but his faith in Jesus Christ helped succor and support him. 

Kay and Mardi enjoyed spending time together, including the last almost 30 years in retirement. They often were found traveling in their motorhome, visiting children and grandchildren, and serving their neighbors and church. They served four missions together for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Israel at the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center, Texas Houston Mission, California Roseville Mission, and the Palmyra New York Temple. Kay served in the Sacramento Temple starting six months after it was dedicated in 2007, and ended his service as a temple sealer in 2021. Kay had a strong testimony of our Savior and would often share it with his family and those around him. Kay loved life and had many hobbies - you could find Kay out in his yard planting or harvesting, in his fishing boat with his brother, sons, and grandchildren, or serving in his church assignments.

Kay had many friends and was loved and respected by all who knew him. His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his large extended family and friends.

Funeral Services will be held as follows:

Date:               August 04, 2023

Time:              10:00 - 10:45 Visitation

                       11:00 - 12:00 Funeral Service

Location:        The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

                       2610 Sierra Meadows Drive

                       Rocklin, CA 95677

Broadcast Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py5NVw0a2vI

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