- Date Of Birth: August 31, 1928
- Date Of Death: October 27, 2022
- State: Utah
Clifford James Smith (Bud) left his earthly life on his own terms, at home and in front of his large screen television. He was 94 years old.
Cliff was born August 31, 1928, in Los Angeles California, the second son of Odell Manfred and Audrey Helen Smith.
At a very early age, his family moved to Amalga, Utah where he worked on the family farm. Cliff enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 as a Military Occupational Machine Gunner. He trained at Fort Bliss, Texas and sailed for Japan with the 152 A.A. Bn., 11th Airborne Division. He joined the anti-aircraft for Basic Training, was a T-5 Machine Gunner and was trained in parachute jumping. He was honorably discharged in 1948 from Seacoast Mine Detachment, Fort Scott, California.
Cliff met Daisy Del Larsen while attending the same school. While serving in the army, he came home on a short leave, and they were married.
Cliff then met and married Lora Lean Bench.
Cliff worked at Hill Air Force Base as a mechanic for years until he retired. He also worked on his own vehicles and several others on the side. He nicknamed his garage “Bud’s Garage”. Although this was not an official business, it was a favorite hobby and pastime. He shared his knowledge of repairing vehicles with his sons and loved to tinker on any car he was asked to look at. Cliff loved vehicles of all types, especially his motorcycles and beloved Harley. He loved to take his Harley on the open road as often as he could and was heartbroken when he felt he could no longer ride and finally sold it. His love for cars was very evident. He was very particular about how his vehicles looked and kept them in the best shape ever. His favorite car was his last vehicle which was a 2014 Camaro. He loved his road trips and long drives seeing the sites in this vehicle. Cliff had a fantastic green thumb and grew a very large garden every year. He took great pride in showing off the rewards of his hard work. He also took great pride in his fruit trees, making sure to trim them and picking the fruit before it had a chance to fall to the ground. He often shared these vegetables and fruit with family, friends and anyone that ever stopped by. He also kept an immaculate yard making sure it was mowed weekly, watered frequently and stayed lush green. He loved his roses and peonies as well and took great pride in their fragrant blossoms every year. Cliff also loved to dance and would dance two–five times a week up until last year when he began experiencing pain in his knees. He had several dance partners over the years that he always said had a hard time keeping up with him. If a good band was playing and a dance floor was nearby, he would be the first one on the floor and most times the last one to leave.
He leaves behind his last dance partner and best girl, Carma Hendryx.
Cliff is survived by his daughters, Dixie Story, Chana (Dee) Wells, son Johnny (Jan) Smith, and his daughter-in-law Gale Smith. He is survived by 17 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren. His first great-great granddaughter will arrive in April. He is also survived by two brothers, Paul (Betty) Smith, Gerald (Dee Ann) Smith, one sister Cheryl (Dave) Evans, and one brother-in-law Ralph Jones.
He was preceded in death by his son Dana Smith, son-in-law Ted Story, a granddaughter Wendy Carter, and a great-grandson Alex Jacob Taney. He was also preceded in death by his brother Odell Smith Jr. and two sisters Arlene (Varnell) Haws and Tamara Jones.
