- Date Of Birth: March 26, 1929
- Date Of Death: October 12, 2022
- State: Utah
Ernest Delgarn Smith, Roy Utah, age 93, passed away peacefully of natural causes on October 12, 2022 at Sunridge Care Center in Roy surrounded by his family.
In his professional life he was known as Ernie, and in his personal life he was known as Delgarn. You could call him either, and he answered to both.
Delgarn was born in Venice Utah in Sevier County on March 26, 1929, the 4th of 5 children in the Smith household, born to Andrew Lauritz Smith and Laura Cowley Smith. He spent his very early childhood in Venice working on the farm and told many stories from that time. Anyone who knew him for any period of time could probably recite the “Wagon Story” by heart.
He was born at the very beginning of the great depression. His family didn’t have much, but he was taught the value of hard work from his parents, especially his Dad. This quality would serve him well throughout his life and is something he passed on to his kids and grandkids. After he “retired” the joke in the family was that he would likely spend his time holding up a cardboard sign on the street saying, “Will work for Fun.” He found true joy in giving an honest day’s work, which is something his children treasured learning and has served each of them well in their own lives.
Around 5 years old he moved with his family to Roy, where he remained the rest of his life, graduating from Weber High School. He worked for his dad, a plumber, while he was young. He owned a Harley motorcycle that he rode all around town, complete with the leather jacket. At the age of 19 he met the love of his life, Merna Fowers, from Hooper. They dated briefly before he left for a 2-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Southern California Mission, which he saved up for and paid for himself. After returning from his mission, he then served in the Army for 2 years where he was stationed in Germany during the Korean War.
After an honorable discharge from the Army, he picked up where he had left off with Merna and they married on December 17, 1953. They were married 60 years before she passed away on October 19, 2014. He missed her dearly every single day. In 1954 they built a home in Roy where he remained the rest of his life. During that time, they had 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls.
Delgarn was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and lived nearly all of his adult life as a member of the original Roy 3rd ward (now the Municipal Park ward), where he served in many capacities. He & Merna, along with many others in the Roy 3rd ward, helped build the chapel where they worshiped each week.
Ernie got his plumbing license and was a plumber by trade, but also continued his education, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Weber State in Psychology; so of course, he then got his General Contractors License and started Ernest D. Smith Construction. He built many many homes in Roy including Margareta Subdivision and Laurel Lea Subdivision, both near Roy West Park. He was able to pass along his building expertise to all of his sons and daughters, with many of them working with him during their teenage years and early adult lives. He was able to build homes for all of his children, which was a true labor of love.
In addition to getting his degree and his Contractors license he also owned the Arctic Circle in Roy for 11 years, where he employed many teenagers from the community, and also where his grandchildren still believe he invented fry sauce and the brown topper. (He didn’t)
Delgarn had many hobbies; He earned his private airplane pilots license and bought into a co-op for a private airplane so he could fly his family to various destinations.
He was amateur movie maker; he enjoyed making movies of all kinds and was the President of the Amateur Movie Maker Club of Utah where they would enter their movies into competitions all over North America, where he won several awards.
The hobby that he really enjoyed was that of travel. There are so many great memories of road trips, especially the songs he sang with the kids, and listening to “Paul Harvey” and “The Shadow” on the radio. After retirement he and Merna had many many adventures together traveling all over the United States in their RV. They visited 49/50 states; only missing Alaska.
He had a great love for his dogs, all the Chihuahuas that he owned, especially his first one Jose, and the last one, Spike.
Most importantly he had a great love for his family. His children and their spouses are: Duane Smith (deceased), Julie & Ron Barlow, Laurie & Ralph Lizza, Michael Smith, Cordell & Karla Smith, Andrew Smith, Marcell & Max Westergard, Mindy & Nathan Dalebout and daughter–in-law, Jill Smith. Delgarn & Merna have 27 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. This was truly his legacy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, all 4 of his siblings, Doris Weatherston, Doug Smith, Jack Smith, and Leo Smith, and well as his wife of 60 years Merna Fowers Smith. He leaves behind his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.
When anyone would ask him “What’s up?” inevitably he would answer “Heaven”, which is fitting that he is there now, having a glorious reunion with his sweetheart.
The family would like to thank Dr Ryan Stewart, along with his favorite nurse Tanner at McKay Dee Hospital. We’d also like to thank the staff at Sunridge Care Center for the care and love they provided to our dad during his last days.
