Stephen Lee Smith

Stephen Lee Smith, age 67, returned to his Heavenly Home on March 13, 2023. He left the loving arms of his dear Debra and was met by his Dad and welcomed home on the anniversary of his own passing twelve years earlier. 

Steve was born January 28, 1956, to Joseph Richard Smith and Jeannette Ashton Hanks Smith in Salt Lake City, Utah. As the oldest of seven children, his fun-loving practical jokes kept excitement and surprise in the family. He loved spending time together and he nurtured relationships. Steve was a devoted son to his widowed Mother and he always showed abundant love. He had a deep appreciation of nature and cherished his time in the out-of-doors with friends and family.  

Steve graduated from Viewmont High School in 1974. He loved serving in the Georgia, Atlanta Mission. He felt that it set him on a course of service and testimony that would influence the rest of his life, both in his church callings and professional endeavors, of which he excelled. Later, Steve followed in his Dad’s footsteps as a guide on Temple Square.

Steve’s first job was working for Bailey’s Moving and Storage. His successful career in transportation and logistics management took him to the Purchasing Division of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then to Mesa United, and most recently, Graebel WorldWide. Steve was revered as a mentor and a friend. Relationships mattered to him, and associates were like family. His knowledge of the business and his success in building relationships was remarkable.  

In 1979, Steve married Melissa Gresham. Two children, Jackson and Jasmyne, blessed their home. They later divorced. Steve always said that he would never grow up — and he thrived in mentoring and leading youth in the scouting program, coaching soccer, and serving as a counselor in a singles ward bishopric. These opportunities allowed him to blend his love of the out-of-doors with his love of youth.

Steve married Debra Lee Hanks on November 23, 2019, in the Bountiful Temple. They moved to Parker, Colorado, where they quickly made cherished friends and memories. They spent time together laughing, gardening, watching football, reading, decorating, traveling, watching sunrises, sunsets and starry night skies. They often returned to Utah to visit loved ones, and they made the family cabin a gathering place complete with re-decorated rooms and yummy meals. Debra courageously joined Steve in his battle with colon cancer for three years. She was his strength and comfort.  Although this part of their journey requires separation, they know eternity holds great promise.

Steve is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Richard Smith and stepson, Jared Hanks. He is survived by his mother, Jeannette Ashton Hanks Smith, his wife, Debra Smith, his siblings, Douglas (RoJeanne), Shauna (Jim) Hanna, Royal (Jennifer), Joseph (Judy), David (Tiffany), and Stacy (Jeremy) Johnson, his children, Jackson (Cherise), and Jasmyne (Tim), his stepchildren, Heather (Mike) Barnes and Laurel (Zach) Morgan, grandchildren (Elder Nick Barnes, Anna, Mason, Beau Barnes and Olivia, Eliza Morgan) and his beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at the Centerville Utah South Stake Center at 270 North 300 East in Centerville, Utah. Interment at Memorial Lakeview Cemetery in Bountiful, Utah.

Viewings will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2023, at the Centerville Utah South Stake Center, and on Tuesday from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. at the church prior to services.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to the services and will be posted below.

Services will also be found on Zoom.  Please click the link below to join the webinar: