Dr. Marvin Gay Smith April 22, 1930 ~ October 26, 2021 Dr. Marvin Gay Smith passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning of October 26, 2021, at age 91. He was born on April 22, 1930 in Tillamook, Oregon to Willis Lerwill (Lew) Smith and Athene Zella Wakefield. His younger sister, Phyllis Joy Kelson, has survived him. He graduated from Washington High School, in Portland, Oregon, and attended Brigham Young University, where he met his wife of 67 years, Shirley Rae Stoker. He left his sweetheart, Shirley, in the states as he served a France-Belgium mission for The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints from 1951 to 1953. After he returned home, they married in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 8, of 1954. He graduated in 1955 from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's in Business Administration. After his graduation, he fulfilled his military responsibility in the US Army, serving in Germany from July 1955 to May 1957. When they returned to the United States, they settled in NE Portland, Oregon where they bought their first home. He worked in his father's grocery stores for some years, and with a young family, decided to pursue a career in dentistry. He completed prerequisites at Portland State University and graduated from the University of Oregon Dental School in 1969. Marvin was a successful dentist that applied his artistic talents to his profession. He was well liked and admired by his employees and patients, often chatting with them about fishing, common interests and their families. He was an active member in The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints. Both he and Shirley served in a deaf ward, learning sign language, in the Bishop's Storehouse, and as Temple workers. His family was the highlight of his life. He cherished holidays and birthdays spent together with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Marvin and Shirley would make regular trips to Idaho to visit their daughter Diane and her family. Marvin was a jokester, making people laugh with his dry sense of humor, which is something his grandchildren will remember fondly. He enjoyed music, art, reading, learning, fishing, and hand crafts. He played trumpet in high school, took guitar lessons, created many oil paintings, was an avid reader and had many books in his library. He was ingenious in designing little gadgets and crafts to use himself or gift to others. He liked the natural look of leather, wood, rocks, and obtained many things made of these natural materials. He would design and hand sew his own leather book covers, acquire furniture and cabinets made of teak or oak and river rocks for landscaping around his home. He was a skilled fisherman, creating and tying his own flies, and fishing the rivers of Oregon and Washington. Marvin and Shirley had 5 children: Gregory Smith (Laura), Sheri Santa (Cesar), Bradlee M. Smith (Susan), Tracey McNeil (Michael) and Diane Bryson (Shannon). All children have survived him except Tracey who passed away in 2001 and Michael who passed away in 2019. He is now reunited with his sweetheart, who passed away on June 5, 2021 They had 11 grandchildren: Bradlee L., Adam, Ashley, Tyler, Devin, Sophie, Rebecca, Jakob, Andrew, Allison and Austin. Also, they had 6 great-grandsons: Ruger, Jaxon, Archer, Keaton, Parker, and Camden, with one great-granddaughter on the way. Marvin will be remembered by those he impacted throughout his very full life. He had a loving family who learned many things from him and will miss him greatly. A ZOOM link has been provided for family and friends who are unable to attend the funeral services. ZOOM link: Perry Zeyer is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Marvin Gay Smith Time: Nov 19, 2021 10:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86212774111?pwd=M0tMRFE2cGx5RnQzVys4Ykg4bnJvdz09 Meeting ID: 862 1277 4111 Passcode: 408560 One tap mobile +16699009128,,86212774111#,,,,*408560# US (San Jose) +12532158782,,86212774111#,,,,*408560# US (Tacoma) Dial by your location +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 862 1277 4111 Passcode: 408560 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kzhTpCTdt
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