|
By Rosemary Pollock
Missionary Serving in Seattle Dies of Heart Attack
CLEARFIELD, UTAH -- Elder Scott Robert Smith, a full time missionary
for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away on
April 16, 2001, while serving in the Seattle, Washington mission. On
April 11, Elder Smith was playing a pick-up basketball game with
fellow missionaries and suffered a heart attack that left him in a
coma until he died on April 16.
Kathy Smith, said her son had two childhood surgeries to correct a
heart defect that her son was born with. The fear of Scott's heart
failing him on his mission, was put to the back of his parents'
minds. "The doctors indicated he would be fine. The rigors of a
mission would not be dangerous to him," said his father Larry Smith,
who is currently the President of the Clearfield North Stake in
Clearfield, Utah.
"Although it was tragic and unexpected, you always realize there is
the possibility of something like this happening," President Smith
said. "We just don't believe this is a tragedy. We just believe this
is a plan. We are saddened to lose him. But we are not questioning
God. The Lord has been kind to us."
The Smiths are parents of eight children and indicated that when
Scott was a boy they weren't certain, due to Scott's heart condition,
if he would live beyond a year. Larry remembers praying and asking
the Lord if they could have 20 years with their son. "We received 21
years," Smith said.
Sander Larson, President of the Seattle, Washington mission where
Scott served, said that Elder Smith had a marvelous work ethic and
smile. "He was such a likable missionary," Larson said. "He lifted
those he taught, as well as those he taught with. He left his mark
and we will all be the better for it," said President Larson.
"He fulfilled an honorable mission," Larry Smith said of his son. "He
did the best he knew how." "He love his mission and the people of
Seattle loved him," said his mother Kathy.
Source:
Clearfield missionary was a hard worker
Ogden UT Standard-Examiner 19Apr01 P2
By Bryon Saxton: Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
Scott Smith was born with a very serious heart problem
Elder Scott Robert Smith
Salt Lake Tribune 18Apr01 N1
|
