Charles A. Smith August 26, 1924 May 29, 2014 With family members at his side, Charles A. Smith, 89, passed away at his home on May 29 after a two-year struggle with cancer. Charles (Charlie) was a gifted man: a talented pianist/musician, a dedicated teacher, a proud veteran, a skilled pilot, photographer, and woodworker, and most of all a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who turned these passions to the service of his nation and his Ogden community At 13, he was the youngest Utahan ever to play Liszts Piano Concerto in E Flat Major with the University of Utah Symphony. At 17 he was invited to be a guest soloist with the New York City Philharmonic. He actively provided service to Ogden in all aspects of music: He was the President of the Utah Symphony Guild in Ogden, the President of the Utah Music Teachers Association, a member of the Royal Guild of Organists, Great Britain, and the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. For 40 years he taught Band, Orchestra, Choir and Keyboard music in the Ogden City Schools. Closest to his heart was the 62 years he spent as Music Director, Choirmaster and Organist for the First Presbyterian Church, in Ogden, Utah. At 18, he served his country during World War II by joining the Navy and training as a pilot. He became a flight instructor at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi, Texas, before being sent on extended duty ferrying bombers over England. After leaving the Navy, he served his Ogden community in many ways: as a five time Master of the George Washington (now Golden Spike) Masonic Lodge, as a member of the Shrine Band, as a Grand Lodge Organist, as a member of the Rotary Club, and as a skilled photographer and woodworker who donated his work to the Ogden Nature Center Gift Shop. But even more important than these accomplishments, he earned a place in the hearts of many because of his genuine interest in them, and because of his kind and generous nature in his relationships with all who lived and worked with him. He is survived by his wife, Jamie McBeth, and their son Ian Smith; by his brother Adolph (Karen) Otterstein; sister Evanne (Sam) Blake; by his daughter-in law, Joan Hampton Smith; Cheryl (Richard) Hazel; Charles (Meg) Smith; Virginia (Norman) Bright; Quentin Smith and Helen Thorsheim, and by 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife Frances Browning Smith and their son Douglas Browning Smith. We will always love him. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, 21 June, at the First Presbyterian Church, 880 28th Street, Ogden. A graveside service will follow at Leavitts Aultorest Memorial Park, 836-36th Street, Ogden, under the direction of Leavitts Mortuary. The family would like to thank the Reverend Dr. Richard Paul Minnich and Dr. Seth Lewis and the staff at Encompass Hospice for their kind and expert care. We are profoundly grateful for it. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Encompass Home Health & Hospice, 5478 South Adams Avenue Parkway, Suite B, Ogden, Utah, 84405. To send the family condolences please visit: www.leavittsmortuary.com Service Information Date: Saturday, June 21, 2014 Time: 10:00 am - First Presbyterian Church Address: 880 28th Street , , Ogden, UT, | Map Cemetery Information Date: Saturday, June 21, 2014 Time: 11:00 am - Aultorest Memorial Park Address: 836 36th Street, , Ogden, UT, 84403 8013945556 | Map