Harold Allen Smith

Harold Allen Smith passed away peacefully at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, in Sheridan, WY on May 20, 2017, surrounded by his family. He was born May 27, 1930 in Gorham, North Dakota to Everett Alton and Thora (Stigen) Smith.

Harold was only 18 months old when his father died, so he was raised by his mother, siblings, and a farmhand named Slim. His mother did not like the name Harold, so she always called him Allen. He spent most of his young life on the farm in Gorham, ND.  He attended high school for a year in Ekalaka, MT where his brother Leland worked on his Aunt and Uncle's ranch. Allen graduated from Central High School in Dickinson, ND in May 1948.

In July of 1951, during the Korean War, Allen enlisted in the Air Force. He initially served in San Antonio, TX and then in Germany decoding enemy messages via Morse code. He received an Occupation Medal for his service in Germany, a Good Conduct Medal, and a National Defense Service Medal and was honorably discharged in July of 1955.

Allen married Donna Kaye Sjoblom on March 22, 1957 in Miles City, MT and worked in construction in southwestern Montana until he enrolled in Montana State College in Bozeman, MT. He graduated in May of 1961 and moved his family to the San Francisco Bay Area in California. Allen worked as an auditor and then a pension plan manager for Kaiser Permanente in Oakland until 1980 when he retired early to move to Sheridan, Wyoming.

He owned and operated the Sheridan Dynamometer in Sheridan from 1981 until 1989 when he moved to Buffalo where he opened up Smith's Auto. After closing his shop about ten years later, he worked for Mr. R's for several years until he finally retired.

Throughout the years, Allen & Donna were avid gardeners and received numerous awards for their beautiful yard. They were also active members of the Buffalo Wesleyan Church (Summit Church) where they attended for 26 years. Allen spent his last two years in Sheridan where he enjoyed going out to eat and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He and Donna celebrated their 60th anniversary in March.

Allen is survived by his wife Donna Kaye (Sjoblom) Smith and their four grown children: Cerise Welter Cherry (Roy) of Midland, TX, Everett Allen Smith & Shauna Kaye Bowers (Gary), both of Sheridan, and Ernest Kelan Smith of Denver, Co. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Janine Welter Deckard of Gardendale, TX, Nena Thompson of Gillette, Timmy and Tyler Smith of Sheridan, and Dani Jo Dygon (Steve) of Mulberry, FL , Danielle and Paul Bowers and Kristi Holifield (Eric) all of Sheridan, Holly Bowers Fauth (Andrew) of South Dakota, and 12 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Ida Keneady of Thompson Falls, MT. He was preceded in death by his parents, two grandchildren: Jeffrey Samuel Welter and Everett Allen Smith Jr. and by four siblings: Shirley Vencalek, Evelyn McAfee, and Kent & Leland Smith.

Cremation has taken place with Champion Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements. The inurnment with Military Honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017 in the new section of the old Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, followed at 11:00 a.m. by a Celebration of Life Service officiated by Claude Alley at Sheridan Wesleyan Church, 404 W. Brundage Lane. Friends and relatives are invited to stay for a fellowship luncheon immediately following the service. An online memorial is available at http://www.championfh.com.

Memorials in Harold Allen's honor may be made to the Sheridan Animal Shelter or Summit Church in Buffalo.