Ivan J “Bud” Smith, a lifetime resident of Safford, passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017, at the age of 92.
Bud was born on April 1, 1924, to Joseph Edward and Iva Jane McBride Smith. He spent much of his childhood working at the Smith Dairy, milking, herding, baling hay and numerous other tasks necessary to maintain the nearly 600 head of prize cattle owned by his grandfather.
Bud served his country as a ball-turret gunner during World War II but was reluctant to talk about the many harrowing events he witnessed during that time. During the war, while on leave, he met a cute blonde named Maxine Ellsworth at Eastern Arizona College and they were married on July 7, 1946, and later sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple. In 1961, Bud started his own construction company with one backhoe. He moved hundreds of houses from Morenci to Safford and then, with Bob Bell as a business partner, worked throughout southeastern Arizona.
Bud’s wife Maxine preceded him in death in 2006, and in 2014, Bud married Linda Carabajal who tenderly cared for him until his death. She survives him along with her children; Ralph, Andy and James Carabajal.
Ivan “Bud” Smith was also preceded in death by: his brother, Bill Smith; and sisters Louise Kieffer and Mildred Hughes. He is survived by: his sisters, Ann DeSpain and Susie Boswell. Also surviving are his children: Brian Smith (Patsy), Cathy Horner (Dave), Don Smith (Laurie), Beverley Johnson (Evan), Amy Marshall and Frank Smith. He also leaves behind twenty-four grandchildren and forty great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Bud Smith will be conducted on Friday afternoon, March 31, 2017, at 3:00 p.m., at the Safford L.D.S. Stake Center by Bishop Palmer Goodman of the Safford Fourth Ward. Concluding services with military honors conferred by the Gila Valley Veterans Honor Guard will follow in the Graham Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening, March 30, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the Vining Funeral Home and Friday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m., at the Safford L.D.S. Stake Center Relief Society Room.
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
