(prayers for the pilot/crew if this actually happened)
John Daren "JD" Smith 11/3/70 ~ 2/25/03 John Daren "JD" Smith passed from this life while doing what he loved most, flying.
He passed away while serving in the US Army on a training mission in Kuwait.
He was a loving father, husband, son, brother, uncle, soldier and friend.
Daren was born in Prescott Arizona to Donna K. Smith and Ronald J. Smith. He was an Eagle Scout, a graduate of Taylorsville High in 1989, served an LDS mission to Italy and after his return home he graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Italian.
Daren married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Meredith Mackay, on September 2, 1993 in the Salt Lake Temple and were later blessed with two beautiful daughters, Kiara (8) and Madeline (4).
At the time of his passing he was finishing his final class to complete his Masters Degree.
Daren was an avid rock climber and snow border. Daren's dream was to climb the Dolomites,, in the Italian Alps, which he did before his passing.
Daren was fortunate enough to have two families, the one he was born to and the one he married into. He is survived by his wife Meredith, his children Kiara and Madeline; parents Donna Smith and Ron Smith; brothers Mark and Skyler (Jayme); sisters Kim and Dawn (Marcos); nephews Griffin and Caden; grandparents Jack and Thelma Smith; step-mother Connie Smith and step-sister Kristine Johnson Hallbom. Daren is also survived by his in-laws Lynn and Anna Lee Mackay; brother-in-laws Scott, Doug (Misty) and Phil (Keli); sister-in-law Allison (Jason); nephew Ethan; nieces Megan, Amanda, Alexis, Kristen and Ana; and grandmother Barbara Mackay. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins who loved him dearly, and friends to numerous to mention. Daren was preceded in death by his grandparents Al Robinson and Anne Robinson, grandmother Mercie Cluff and step-brother Douglas S. Johnson.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, March 3, 2003, 12 noon at the Westland LDS Stake Center, 7265 South 2700 West in West Jordan, Utah. Friends may call Sunday evening March 2, 2003, 6-8:00 p.m. at the Westland 4th and 8th Ward building, 7171 South 2700 West, West Jordan, Utah. The family has set up an e-mail address and has requested that friends and family who have a special story about Daren please e-mail them to: jdsmithmemorial@mindspring.com.
A book of memories will be compiled to give to his wife and children. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund, "In Memory of John Daren Smith", has been established at Wells Fargo Bank (Nationwide) to assist with the care and education of his daughters. Under the direction of McDougal Funeral Home.