Stephen Thomas Smith

Stephen Thomas Smith, 86, passed away on January 3, 2026.

Stephen was born in his home in St. Joseph, Missouri, on September 27, 1939. He peacefully left this world and passed away with family close by on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Over the course of a long and full life, he lived in many places—including Missouri, Utah, California, North Carolina, Nevada, and Idaho—each adding to the story of a man who was deeply rooted in family, faith, and curiosity.

From a young age, Stephen showed an exceptional technical mind. As a teenager, he built a radio, and later an oscilloscope—early signs of a lifelong fascination with electronics and problem-solving. He loved talking “techie stuff” with relatives and was known for being knowledgeable, witty, and sharp well into later years. Even last year, while playing board games, he showed no mercy—his mind as quick as ever.

Stephen participated in ROTC in high school and later served in the National Guard. He spent much of his professional career at IBM, beginning as a technician and later being selected for training as a computer programmer—a role that became his lifelong career. He was proud of his work and respected for his technical skill.

A devoted family man, Stephen oversaw and contributed significantly to the construction of two family homes. He took great joy in his large posterity and remained actively engaged with family throughout his life. He was the son of a teacher and a Mead employee that was a jeweler and rockhound on the side, which were influences that shaped both his intellect and appreciation for craftsmanship.

Stephen was a High Priest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and lived his faith with quiet commitment.

Stephen is survived by his children Julie, Laura (Lollie), Gordon, Roger, Paul, Vicki, Robert, Vanessa, Michael, John, Deanna, and Diane. He was also survived by 38 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his mother, Juanita; father, Harold; first wife, Julie Ann Jensen, and wife Connie Diane Vick; brother, James; sister, Margaret; brother, Paul; brother Harold (Roger); and brother Dennis.

Stephen will be remembered for his intelligence, humor, faith, and the deep love he held for his family.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1700 Kinghorn Road, Pocatello, ID. A viewing will be held prior beginning at 10:00 am. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, January 16 at Los Gatos Memorial Park, 2255 Los Gatos Almaden Road, San Jose, CA.

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting the Guestbook below.

Stephen Thomas Smith

Life Sketch

Stephen Thomas Smith was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, on September 27, 1939 to Harold James Smith and Dorothea Juanita Miller Smith. He peacefully passed with loving daughters by his side on January 3, 2026.

Raised in St. Joseph, Missouri, Stephen was the 5th of 6 children. At 6 years old, Stephen’s family traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah to be sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple. Stephen was a man of great faith, evident by his belief in the power of prayer, even at an early age. While on that trip to Salt Lake City with his family, Stephen was feeling ill and had been left at a family member’s house to recuperate. Upon return, his family discovered he had left to go looking for them. By nightfall, everyone including extended family members, neighbors and the police were trying to find Stephen. Through prayer and his faith as a small child, he was able to find a familiar street lamp and navigate his way back.

Stephen was a bright child with an early aptitude and appreciation for technology. At age 9, he and his younger brother Dennis built their own contact printer and darkroom to develop pictures. This became their first business venture as they developed pictures for people in the neighborhood. Other jobs Stephen had through his youth were that of paper boy, working concessions at Wrigley’s Orange Juice Bar, and sweeping diners, beauty parlors and dry cleaners in town.

In high school, Stephen’s favorite subjects were math and physics, areas in which he had a natural talent. Stephen was also actively enrolled in the ROTC program. Technology was truly a passion for Stephen, something he continued to pursue as a teenager. As a self-taught amateur radio operator, Stephen learned Morse code and used his technical skill to build his own radio and oscilloscope.

Stephen graduated from LaFayette High School in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1957 and went on to attend BYU from 1958-1959. While at BYU, Stephen enlisted in the National Guard. In Provo, he was in active service for 6 months before moving on to Fort Ord in California for basic training. Stephen served as a radio operator for the National Guard and was able to utilize his proficiency in Morse code. He was acknowledged for his technical skill set and ability to learn quickly, two attributes that he carried throughout his life.

Stephen began his way in the workforce, accepting a position at Sperry. He would go on to work there for 5 years, starting out as a lab tech and later receiving a promotion to work as an engineer assistant. While working at Sperry, Stephen excelled at drafting plans for missile systems. It was there he was recruited by IBM in 1965 and transitioned his career path to San Jose, California. Starting out as a technician, Stephen showed great promise and skill and was later chosen for training as a computer programmer. Stephen was an expert at writing and coding, eventually working as a supervisor over crew members that worked in the IBM laboratory. He was proud of the technical skill set he was able to master over the length of his career and was respected for his attributions. After 25 years of service at IBM, Stephen was able to retire. In following years, he took on work contracts throughout his time living in North Carolina.

Stephen was inspired early on by the hard work and ingenuity of his father who expanded on a small family home during the Great Depression. He said, because of this, he knew he would be able to do this for his own family one day. As an avid learner, Stephen taught himself about carpentry and completed the first construction of a home for his family in 1972. He then went on to complete the construction of a second home for his family in 1988.

Stephen met Julie Ann Jensen at BYU while attending a school dance. Stephen and Julie were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 26, 1959. They went on to have 7 children : Julie, Laura (Lollie), Gordon, Roger, Paul, Vicki and Robert (Bobby). Together Stephen and Julie enjoyed taking their children on many family vacations to Yosemite, Missouri, Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, Mexico, Disneyland, Frontier Village, Knotts Berry Farm and many more. Stephen and Julie were married almost 16 beautiful years before her life was cut short May 23, 1975 when she was killed in a car accident. He later stated this tragic accident to have been one of the hardest times in his life.

Stephen met his second love Connie Diane Vick at an LDS Singles dance. They were later married on June 27, 1981 in the Oakland California Temple. Connie brought 3 children with her into this new blended family, John, Deanna and Diane. During his life, Stephen said he thought of and loved these new additions to his family as his own. Stephen and Connie later added 2 more children to their large posterity, Vanessa and Michael. As a family, Stephen and Connie enjoyed vacationing with their children in the mountains, to the beach, Florida and Boston. Family vacations were one of Stephen’s happiest memories. After almost 29 years of marriage, Connie died April 2, 2010, ending an 8 year long fight with Supranuclear Palsy. Stephen lovingly cared for Connie during the end stages of her disease. His compassionate care for his wife as she declined was a testament to his family of his commitment and true love for her.

Stephen was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was a High Priest and had the opportunity to hold several callings throughout his life. Stephen served in the Stake Sunday School and was a Webelos leader for many years.

Stephen is survived by his children : Julie, Laura (Lollie), Gordon, Roger, Paul, Vicki, Robert (Bobby), Vanessa, Michael, John, Deanna and Diane. He was also survived by 38 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his mother, Juanita; father, Harold; wives Julie Ann Jensen and Connie Diane Vick; brother James; sister, Margaret; brother, Paul; brother, Harold (Roger); and brother, Dennis.

When asked what knowledge he would want to pass on to his posterity, Stephen answered : “Try not to dwell too long on the problems in life. Look for the brighter, lighter side of life. It’s there if you look for it.”