Duane Smith Obituary

Duane Henry Smith, age 94, of Scipio, UT passed away June 20, 2025 at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, UT after a 4 1/2 month battle of Aspiration Pneumonia.

Duane was born May 8, 1931 in Mora, Minnesota to Charley Henry and Bessie Barbara Jacklin Smith. He was the only child of 9 to be born in a hospital. His parents lost their farm during the depression and this is when his family decided to move to Buffalo, New York; and in 1944 the family journey ended up in Long Beach, California and finally settled in the San Fernando Valley in California in 1954.

Duane graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles in 1949. He held many jobs: Richfield Oil Company, Hughes Aircraft, carrying hod. Duane enlisted in the Navy in August 1949 where he served until August 1951. It was during this time that he met his lifelong companion Florence “Dee” Dagmar Daniels. They were married November 20, 1951 in Long Beach, California. On Duane's 21st birthday, he received the gift of his son being born. Five years later, his daughter was born on Duane's mother's 69th birthday. Shortly after leaving the Navy he found his passion in life as a member of the Los Angeles Police Department. He not only loved being a police officer but he was blessed with the gift to be able to change the lives of many people that he encountered and change their negative feeling towards Law Enforcement. He organized a Car Club in Van Nuys to get young kids off the streets with organized activities which allowed them to do something constructive to utilize their time. I'm sure anyone that ever met him heard many of the stories of people he had the opportunity to meet or situations that he encountered. He was definitely a man of many stories.

Dad taught, encouraged and pushed his kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren to always do better to succeed in life. He was their greatest supporter. Even until the end he always wanted to know how the kids were doing whether it was sports, daily life or how his two great grandsons were doing on their missions. We will all feel this void in our lives as we now have to navigate life without his guidance. He is definitely going to be missed.

Duane is survived by his son: Duane Jr (Donna) Smith of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; daughter: Betty (Doug) Kelley of Scipio, Utah; grandchildren: Julie and Jackie Smith of Castaic, California, Michael Kelley of West Jordan, Justin (Starla) Kelley of West Jordan, Josh (Becky) Smith of Lake Havasu, Arizona; Cassie (Chad) Hughes of Hurricane, Utah, Cristina Smith of Lake Havasu, Arizona; Codi (Kyle) Ashby of Delta, Utah; great grandchildren: Ocean, Gavin, Colby, Cassidee (Devon), Jayden, Light, Calan, Madison, Illiana, Callie Jo, Trystyn, Chaysen, Ashton, Traycen, Johanna, Sylvan, Cheyenne, Payton, Kalila, Krue, Kolt, Star, Paisley, Leith, Arabella; and great-great granddaughters: Cora and Blakely; his older sister: Evelyn Weaver; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Florence; his parents: Charley and Bessie Smith; his in-laws: Andrew and Dagmar Daniels; brothers: Floyd, Chuck and Ralph; sisters: Leora, Letha, Ruby, Edna; and granddaughter: Danielle.

The family gives Thanks to Delta Community Hospital Nursing Staff, Lab, CeCe, Tosha, Dr. Nielson, LDS Hospital, Central Valley Medical Center, Utah Valley Hospital and Monument Healthcare.

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 27, at 11:00 am, at the Nickle Mortuary, 190 S Center St, Delta. A Viewing was held, 10:00-10:40 am, prior to the service. Those unable to attend are invited to view the recorded video of the service. Burial with military rites and Masonic graveside rites followed at the Delta City Cemetery.