Gene Richard Smith

On February 27, 2012, our loving and devoted husband, dad and friend hung up his stethoscope after a valiant battle with the frailties of mortality and age. Gene was born on October 10, 1931 in Stroud Oklahoma to Isaac D. and Mabel W. Smith and grew up fishing and hunting on the shores of Grand Lake in Disney, Oklahoma. He was the Student Body President of Ketchum High School and an avid learner. He received his Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University at Tahlequah in 1953 and Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Oklahoma in 1957. During his internship at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, he met and married the beautiful Sue Louise Clawson, daughter of Thomas A. Clawson, Jr. MD and Ruth J. Clawson in the Salt Lake Temple. He finished his orthopedic residency as a Sooner and completed a sports medicine fellowship in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

In 1962 dad began private practice in Farmington NM, moving later to Bountiful, UT where he practiced for 17 years. He sub-specialized in back surgery but enjoyed all aspects of medicine. One of the most memorable moments was when, as an orthopedic surgeon, he delivered a baby as the only doctor available at a small rural hospital one evening. In 2003 he retired from 16 years of practice at the South Texas Orthopedic and Fracture Clinic in San Antonio, TX. Dad was an active member of the LDS church where he served diligently in several callings including ward and stake missionary, Seventy, Director of the Family History Library, Stake Patriarch and Home Teacher. He and mom served a faithful mission to Nauvoo, IL where he also served as the Medical Director for the mission and the medical advisor for the missionaries in the Central Area of North America.

Dad loved sports. He was the team doctor for several high school football programs and later shifted his fan devotion to the San Antonio Spurs. Dad and mom rarely missed watching a game unless it was on Sunday. He also loved fishing, camping, golf, gardening, and pretty much anything that involved his family! Dad also loved buttermilk. He is well loved and respected, and was a great example of love, selflessness and service.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father and brother Ralph Leland Smith. Survived by his sister, Betty Andrasko; his lovely wife and best friend Sue, and children: Heidi (Scott) Sowards, Matthew (Heather), Curtis (Sara), David (Mindy), and 12 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the LDS San Antonio North Stake Center on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 10:00 AM with a 9:00 AM reception. 645 Knights Cross Drive, San Antonio, TX 78258.

A graveside service will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday March 10, at the Salt Lake City cemetery with an open house from 4 a