D.H. Smith, business leader, dies

Douglas Hill Smith, 87, noted Utah businessman and a former member of the Quorums of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at home on Jan. 29, 2009, of causes incident to age.

He was born May 11, 1921, in Salt Lake City, the son of Virgil Howarth Smith and Winifred Pearl Hill Smith, attended local schools and graduated in 1942 from the University of Utah. Unable to serve in the military because of a birth defect that prevented him from rotating his hands and arms, he went to work for Utah Home Fire Insurance Co. Within 16 years, he was president of the firm and later he became president of its parent company, Beneficial Life Insurance. He also served for a time as president of Southern Reinsurance Exchange.

He was sustained on April 4, 1987, to the Second Quorum of the Seventy and was released on Oct. 3, 1992, having served in both the First and Second quorums. His early church service included a calling as bishop of the South Edghill Ward and later as president of the Hillside Stake. He was subsequently called as a regional representative and then area president of the Asia Area, where he developed a great love for the Asian people. He also had served as a temple sealer.

From 1974 to 1984, during his wife's tenure as president of the worldwide church Relief Society, which involved extensive traveling across the world, he supported her by helping to care for their family, including shopping for birthday and Christmas gifts as well as routine needs.

His business experience included service on the boards of several businesses, including LDS Hospital, where he was chairman for a time, Utility Shareholders Committee, Zions First National Bank, Hotel Utah, Freedom Foundation/Valley Forge, Murdock Travel, Western American, Continental Western and Pacific Heritage life insurance companies. He was vice chairman and executive vice president of Deseret Management Corp. His civic appointments included time as vice president of Great Salt Lake Council, Boy Scouts and the boards of Salt Lake City/County Health Department and American Cancer Society.

Elder Smith married Barbara Jean Bradshaw on June 16, 1941.She survives him, as do seven children, Sandra J. Smith, Lillian S. (Claron) Alldredge, Barton D.(Louise) Smith, Lowell V. (Lynne) Smith, Blaine K. (Rebecca) Smith, Catherine S. (Carl) Faulkner and B. Sherillyn (Hector) Alba; 39 grandchildlren and 78 great-grandchildren and his brother, Howard H. Smith.

His funeral is set for Wednesday, Feb. 4, noon, in the Ensign 2nd Ward meetinghouse, 135 A St. Friends may call at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Tuesday 6 to 8 p.m.. and at the meetinghouse for an hour before the service. Burial will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to www.larkincares.com.

LDS Church News archive article: www.ldschurchnews.com/