Val Nathan Smith

Val was the best, most loving Son, Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle and Friend. He was very social and made friends everywhere he went. He loved children and never met a child he couldn’t help.

Val leaves behind his wife of 60 years Maida and his children, Dennis (Norma), Janet, Brent (Cindy), and Jonathan (Jack). He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, one great granddaughter who preceded him in death, 13 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren, 3 loving sisters Nan, Dixie and Luann, and his nieces, Suzie and Megan. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph Nathan Smith and Florice Smith. Val made many good friends throughout his life and stayed in touch with them as long as God allowed. Val will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

Val grew up on a farm in Draper, Utah, where he had a very active childhood. He loved horses and riding in the hills and mountains of Draper with his father. He was a graduate of Jordan High School where he played championship basketball. After high school he joined the Marines and proudly served from August 31, 1961 to April 1, 1965. Soon after leaving the Marines, Val met and married Maida on January 3, 1966 in Elko, Nevada. Upon marrying Maida, he became an instant father of three young children, Dennis, Janet, and Brent. He took his responsibilities of caring for the family and providing for them very seriously. 1968 was a very big year for Val. In April, Maida and Val were blessed with a new child, Jon, and on August 19 he adopted Dennis, Janet and Brent, formalizing the bond of love he had already built with his children. It was the best day ever.

To better support his family, Val earned a degree in history from Brigham Young University while working full time. Maida and Val both worked hard to help him graduate while raising four kids. After his graduation from BYU, Val worked as a substitute teacher for the Jordan School District, teaching Jr. High and High School. He loved teaching but returned to the steel business where he filled many positions. He estimated jobs for Western Steel, Niederhauser and Stott. His favorite job was working as a purchasing agent for Niederhauser. Val retired and spent the rest of his life with Maida doing some traveling to visit family and friends. When they could no longer travel, Val and Maida spent the rest of his life being together and enjoying each other’s company.

Val had a reputation for being everyone’s fix-it guy. Everyone in the family and the neighborhood knew if you were having a problem, you could call Val and he would be there right away to help you. It didn’t matter if your problem was plumbing, moving, a broken-down car, or a bad relationship, you could count on Val to come to the rescue. The world was safer with him in it, because you knew you could count on Val. He loved helping others and was happiest when he was able to be of service.

Val loved sports, whether playing, coaching or watching. In high school, he played on the Jordan High Championship Basketball team. Later in his life, he loved to play basketball for his church ward and served as a little league baseball coach for his community. As a fan, he loved going to hockey games by himself or with his kids or grandkids when they could join him. At the games he liked to, as he called it, “instruct the referees” from the stands for his two favorite hockey teams, the Grizzles and the Mustangs. He and Maida loved to watch football together, and he always rooted for his favorite team, the BYU Cougars. His youngest son, Jon, and his grandniece Megan graduated from the University of Utah and were true Ute fans. This led to a fun team rivalry in the family.

Val was often hear to say he had the best children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly and taught life skills by working with them whenever possible. Grandpa Val has three recent additions to the Smith Tribe, two great grandsons and a great granddaughter.

Val always looked forward to the Draper horsepulling and going to hockey games. Megan, Suzie and Chris were able to arrange for Val to attend the Draper horsepulling for the last two years and Tim, Laura, Valaree, and Ryeanne made sure to get Val to as many Mustang hockey games and possible. These were some of his last outings and he loved attending these events with his family.

During the last years of his life Val got a lot of help and support from his family, friends and neighbors that he had given so much help to. Janet, Brent and Suzie came by the house frequently to help around the house, LuAnn took him to appointments, and Jon and Dennis helped from afar. Val enjoyed plowing snow and taking out garbage cans for his neighbors and they all returned the favor by helping he when he needed it. Val’s greatest treasures were not material but the love and care of his family and friends.

Val and his family would like anyone wishing to send flowers to instead make a donation to Dementia Society of America. You can specify a Lewy Body Dementia donation.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Goff Mortuary in Midvale Utah. The service will be live streamed on the Goff Mortuary website.