John David Smart

John David Smart August 20, 1952-April 21, 2026 John David Smart passed away on April 21, 2026 at the age of 73. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 20, 1952 to parents Dorothy and Bruce Smart.

John grew up in Bountiful, Utah. He was the oldest of five children. He attended Bountiful Elementary except for two years, when he was bussed to West Bountiful Elementary. He attended Bountiful Junior High, and graduated from Bountiful High School. He attended Weber State before serving a mission in Argentina (Argentina North Mission from 1971-1973). He then attended the University of Utah. He loved cheering on the Utes!

In John’s own words: " I first noticed Sher in the kitchen of our home when she was visiting Krista." They started dating after John asked Sher to a dance at a Halloween party they were both attending. They kept in touch all through John’s mission and were married on May 3, 1974. They were blessed with 8 beautiful children. They later divorced, and after some time became friends again.

At 15 he worked for the old Queen Theater (where Kentucky Fried Chicken is now on 5th South). He then went to work for Porter Walton Nursery in Centerville at 16 and worked there until leaving for his mission. He returned from his mission and worked for them again and then found his way to Western Paper Company in Salt Lake, starting in the warehouse and then moving into a salesman position. John had an entrepreneurial spirit and worked many jobs while raising his family but the last job was at the Road Home in Salt Lake City.

John had very special memories of spending lots of time in Montpelier Idaho with his Grandma and Grandpa Jensen and his Uncle Robert. John had a very special relationship with Uncle Robert that started from the very beginning! After the grandparents passed John drove to Idaho at least once a week to visit with Robert. He would sometimes take a few of his kids with him and usually it included a meal at the Ranch Hand.

When John was 23 years old he had a stroke while playing basketball and then in the hospital had a second stroke that caused many health issues. John didn’t want an obituary, let alone, mention of his strokes. Who wants to be remembered for one of the hardest things in your life? However, we have come to appreciate his strong will. He had to relearn many things after his strokes. He was determined to walk again and relearned to write with his left hand. He still had amazing penmanship! He even drove a manual transmission for most of his life!

John will be remembered by his closest family and friends by some of his favorite things. He loved cheering on the U and the Utah Jazz. He loved going to Chuck A Rama for lunch, and had many friends there. He loved cereal, peanut m&m’s, orange slices, and burgers. He also loved a good footlong at Paces Dairy Ann. He was a casual guy and would always be dressed in his pressed plaid button up shirt, jeans, white tennis shoes, a ball cap and if it was cold a gray sweatshirt. Later on in life he “rocked” a white beard. He could make a mean batch of caramel popcorn and yummy French Toast. He may be remembered by the neighbors on Center Street for yelling at cars to “SLOW DOWN”! He had a love for flying and airplanes. He loved being on time, usually 30 minutes early! He also, loved HIS family. He showed up to every sporting event and dance performance, baptisms, weddings, and any other activity his grandkids may of had. He always sent cards for birthdays, early, of course, and loved to be at family hangouts. He spoke of his cousins and extended family letting us know when reunions would be.

John is preceded in death by his parents, sister Krista Haws, nephew Dustin Haws and his Uncle Robert. John is survived by his eight children: Jolynn (Eric) Bowles, Jaime (Paul) Cavanaugh, Adam (Ashlee) Smart, Jennifer Smart, Jeffrey Smart, Kyle (Shaley) Smart, Jenessa (Aaron) Smart Batt, Jason (Kira) Smart, his siblings Doug Smart, Steven Smart, Becky Stuart and his 20 grandchildren with one on the way, and 3 great grandchildren with one more on the way!

We will miss you and promise to keep your memory alive. Give Uncle Robert a hug for us. See ya on the flip side. A private viewing was held on April 25, 2026. His final wish was to be donated to the University of Utah Body Donor Program.