Kevan Foss Smith

Kevan Foss Smith returned to his heavenly home on March 21, 2021 following a two-week, unexpected onset of UIP, a non-Covid related pulmonary fibrosis.  He was born May 18, 1943 in Winslow, Arizona, the son of Cleona Olsen and Matthias Foss Cowley Smith.  His father was the youngest and 44th child of the five wives of Jesse Nathaniel Smith, a first cousin to LDS Church Prophet Joseph Smith.
Kevan was raised in Farmington, New Mexico, graduated with honors from Brigham Young University and the University of Virginia and University of Utah Schools of Law.  He married Susan Torgesen of Soda Springs, Idaho, on September 2, 1966 in the Salt Lake Temple.  They met while students at the Church College of Hawaii (now BYU Hawaii).  He was a life-long, devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, served a mission to the Central Atlantic States and considered himself a true “Mormon Boy.”  His favorite Church calling was as the Bishop of the Mt. Olympus 7th Ward and he held a life-long love for the members there.
Kevan was an attorney in the Civil Division of the Salt Lake County Attorney’s Office and in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the United States Air Force.  He served with distinction, participating in Desert Storm, and retired with the rank of Colonel in the USAF Reserve.
He served his community in many organizations including the Sons of the Utah Pioneers. He coached mock trial teams at Churchill Junior High School, taking a team to the state finals in 1991, and was presented the Utah State Bar Scott M. Matheson Award for 9 years of community service to law-related education for youth.  He also served as a court observer for the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission for the State of Utah.
He was a man of integrity and intellect and, although humble, often reminded his family that he had been voted the most handsome boy in the 7th and 8th grades.  He enjoyed working with Susan on the Torgesen Ranch in Idaho and treated a field of wheat with the same care as the lawn in his backyard.  He supported his sons and grandchildren by attending school programs, scouting events, music recitals and coaching little league.  He read and studied and was avidly interested in the history channel and any program related to auto repair. He joyfully pursued the restoration of a red 1967 Plymouth Satellite that had been a wedding gift from Susan’s parents.  At Christmas, he specialized in meticulously hanging bubble lights on our tree.
Survived by his wife and three sons, C. Taylor (Corea) Smith, Alexandria, Virginia; Joshua Tucker Smith, Tucson, Arizona; and Decker Sanderson Smith, Salt Lake City; one grandson, Gavin Foss, and four granddaughters, Keilani Anne, Kater Lau, Rhys Karyn and Keevan Belle.  Survived by brothers Norman Smith, Layton, Utah, and David (Jude) Smith, Las Cruces, New Mexico.  He was preceded in death by his sisters, Dorene Taylor and Linnea Barney.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private service will be held for immediate family.  We are very grateful for the love we have felt from so many friends and family and from our Heavenly Father.  Burial will be at the Holladay Memorial Park, 4900 South Memory Lane.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Perpetual Mission Fund.