Roland S. Smith

Oct. 3, 1946 - July 25, 2025

Roland S. Smith, known fondly as “Smitty,” passed away peacefully on July 25, 2025. 

Born in Greybull, Wyo., on Oct. 3, 1946, to Metz and Thelma Smith, Roland was the eldest of eight children and grew up on his parents’ ranch. Roland lived a life marked by courageous spirit, dedicated service and a friend to all who knew him. His enduring resilience, evidenced even in his final days battling neuropathy, was a testament to his strength and an inspiration to those around him. 

From an early age, he embraced the cowboy way of life—a passion that remained with him throughout his years. He took great pride in his work and the relationships he built along the way. Known affectionately as “Smitty,” Roland he was happiest on horseback and cherished pack trips into the Wind River Mountains. His time was often spent doing cattle drives, snowmobiling, visiting friends, and driving trucks across the country alongside his brother Marcel.  Skilled in various trades, he laid brick for homes and built pole fences with precision and care. In 1966, Roland served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Auckland, New Zealand, creating lasting memories and sharing many stories of his experiences there. He later answered the call to serve his country as a military police officer in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War—a sacrifice that profoundly shaped his life. 

After his service, Roland married and settled in Utah, welcoming his first child, Heidi. He later moved to Pinedale, Wyo., where he worked as a police officer in the Sublette County Sheriff’s Department and prior to that he worked for Big Horn County Sheriff’s Department. In 1994, he returned to Utah after reconnecting with an old friend from his mission. He remarried and had his second child, Benjamin, while also embracing six wonderful stepchildren: Christina “Chrissy,” David, Sara, Marie, Becky, and Jesse. Over the years, he continued working as an independent truck driver and remained behind the wheel with Godfrey Trucking Company. 

Smitty leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish his memory: his daughters Heidi Dixon and Kaitlin Smith, his son Benjy Smith, his siblings Marcel (Robyn) Smith, Connie (Lane) Kiesel, Sylva (Niel) Lamont, Amy (Rick) Paxman, Myrna (Earnie) Hammer, Ben (Alice) Smith and Randy (Christina) Smith. 

He is predeceased by his parents, Metz and Thelma Smith. 

His life will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at 11 a.m. MDT at Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 North University Ave., Provo, Utah, 84604 with Military Honors at the Provo Cemetery where he will have a resting place, following the celebration. The service will also be live-streamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/roland-smith-jul-2025.

In keeping with Roland’s faith, let us remember the words from the Book of Mormon, Alma 7: 23-24, “And see ye have faith, hope and charity, and then ye will always be bound in good works.” This was the guiding principle of Roland’s life, and his legacy will continue to inspire us. We invite all who knew and loved Smitty to share their memories and upload photos to his memorial page. These shared reflections and images will serve as a comforting keepsake, allowing us to remember and honor the remarkable life of Roland S. Smith.