Jennings Thomas Smith

In Loving Memory: Jennings Thomas Smith (June 29th, 1937 - July 7th, 2023) South Jordan, Utah - Jennings Thomas Smith, a remarkable man of boundless ambition and ingenuity, peacefully bid farewell to this earthly realm on July 7th, 2023, at the age of 86. Born on June 29th, 1937, in Shelly, Idaho, he was the beloved son of Lee and Grace Smith. Jennings' childhood on a humble farm instilled in him a strong work ethic and a knack for resourcefulness. Even with limited toys, he ingeniously found ways to entertain himself and others. From fashioning toys out of wagon wheel rims to crafting hinged wooden dolls, his youthful creativity shone through. As he grew older, his projects grew bolder. From building a go-cart using his father's circular saw motor to constructing a snowplane from electrical conduit and an airplane engine, Jennings pursued ever-greater feats of engineering. At the age of 17, Jennings embraced his entrepreneurial spirit, convincing his father and a local farmer to allow him to rent a farm. Tirelessly, he toiled both on his father's farm and his own, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to hard work and success. The fruits of his labor financed a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served faithfully in the southwestern United States. Upon returning from his mission, Jennings married Arlayne Louise Smith and pursued an electrical engineering degree in Logan, Utah. His professional journey led him to positions with Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later to the prestigious National Security Agency (NSA) in Baltimore, Maryland. While at the NSA, he earned a master's degree in computer science from George Washington University and spearheaded the development of a groundbreaking electronic information gathering system, which garnered accolades and ensured the agency's success for a quarter-century. Jennings's exceptional leadership earned him the esteemed Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Twenty five years later, in recognition of his remarkable achievements, the department flew him and his wife Aura back to Maryland for the system's decommissioning ceremony. After leaving the NSA, Jennings and Arlayne settled in South Jordan, Utah, where they built a loving home on a few acres of land. An avid farmer and gardener, Jennings found joy in cultivating the land and working on his various projects. He reveled in his passion for farming, tending to goats, cows, chickens, and a horse, while also nurturing a menagerie of beloved dogs and cats. Ever the industrious craftsman, he acquired and transported an old military ammunitions building and transformed it into a functional barn. His skills as a carpenter, mechanic, and electrician made him a true jack-of-all-trades, culminating in the creation of a separate building to house over a thousand chinchillas. Tragedy struck in 1989 when Arlayne passed away prematurely, altering the course of Jennings' life. He found love once again and married Aura Robles, who had immigrated from Puerto Rico. Together, they embarked on new adventures, selling part of their property to acquire a new home. Jennings continued to indulge his passion for farming and self-sufficiency, cultivating bountiful gardens, experimenting with various seeds and techniques, and even designing and constructing colloidal silver generators for his loved ones. Jennings' generosity extended beyond his family, as he delighted in growing surplus food to share with neighbors and fellow ward members, generously distributing his corn, tomatoes, watermelons, blackberries, plums, and Asian pears. His green thumb brought joy and sustenance to all those who knew him. In the early to mid-1990s, Jennings expanded his horizons by acquiring properties in Puerto Rico and Ajijic, Mexico, where he spent a considerable part of each year. Embracing his new communities, he devoted six years to serving as the bishop of the Ajijic Ward, driving countless miles in his trusty Toyota Tercel or his vibrant yellow school bus. Jennings' experiences on these journeys became the fabric of memorable stories he shared with loved ones. Eventually, he sold his Puerto Rico and Mexico properties and returned permanently to his cherished home in South Jordan. His unwavering commitment to service then led him to serve for many years on a Spanish-speaking mission in Utah. Jennings' legacy of industriousness, resourcefulness, and a passion for helping others will forever be etched in the hearts of those he touched. His remarkable life will forever live on in the hearts and memories of his family, friends, and all those who were fortunate enough to know him. He will be deeply missed. Jennings was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arlayne Louise Hirschi, and his sons Todd Robert Smith and Darus Thomas Smith. He is survived by his loving wife, Aura Smith, his son Curtis Smith, his daughter Shauna Beach, his step sons Jeff, Edwin and Jorge Jimenez, and his grandchildren Candice Rogers, Jessica Kaylor, Joshua Smith, Savannah Linares, John Beach, Olivia Beach. Viewings will be held on Wednesday, July 12th, from 6-8 pm and on July 13th from 10-10:45 am at the Country Park 6th Ward chapel. Funeral Services will be conducted on July 13th from 11-12 pm at the Country Park 6th Ward chapel. Country Park 6th Ward Chapel 11251 South 2700 West South Jordan, Utah Burial will take place on July 13th from 12:30-1:00 pm at Redwood Memorial Estates. Redwood Memorial Estates 6500 South Redwood Road Salt Lake City, Utah

Jennings Thomas Smith

June 29, 1937 - July 7, 2023