David Millard Smoot

David Millard Smoot passed away Thursday, February 15, 2018 at the age of 74 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.    He is survived by his children, Martha Sharee Smoot, Lonna Joy Smoot, Debbie (Erik) Madsen, Anthony David (Marguerite) Smoot, Melissa (Kolby) Nebeker, Jeanette Smoot, Julia (Gilbert) Nichols and 18 grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents and five older siblings; Martha Jean (Jim) Bunting, Robert “Bob” (Karen) Smoot, Joan (Kirk) Nelsen, Rulon (Donna) Smoot and Edna (Dee) Hardy.  His surviving siblings are: Alene (Reid) Thompson, William “Bill” (Karla) Smoot, Kathy (Pete) Young, and Richard “Dick” Smoot.    David was born in Brigham City, Utah on November 28, 1943 to Martha Millard Smoot and Alma Vivian Smoot.  He is the ninth of their ten children and the self-proclaimed “most handsome one of the bunch.”  As a young man, David worked on the family dairy and excelled at wrestling and football at Box Elder High School, graduating in 1962.  Upon his return from a two-year LDS mission to the Southern States mission (1962-1964), he attended and graduated from Brigham Young University. Some of his happiest memories were singing and dancing with the Program Bureau (later known as the BYU Young Ambassadors) on tours of Europe and Asia.    It was through this performing group that he met Lonna Ballard.  The two were married from 1970 to 2007. They passed on a love of music and performance to their 7 children and 18 grandchildren.  David’s professional experience included Director of Student Activities at the Church College of Hawaii (now BYU-Hawaii), sales for U & I Sugar and Ellis Farming Equipment, instructor of photography at Intermountain Indian School and the proprietor of Smoot Photos.   He was involved in the Boy Scouts of America and sat on their regional board for a number of years.  David is best remembered for his jovial nature and ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, anytime, anywhere.   Funeral services for David Smoot will be held ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Tuesday at 12:00 pm in the Brigham City West Stake Center, 895 N 625 W, Brigham City, UT.  A viewing will precede the funeral from 10:00-11:45 in the same location under the direction of Eckersell Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery.