Harlow D Smith

Harlow D. Smith, 89 resident of Mesquite, Nevada, passed away Friday, April 29, 2016 at his daughter's home after an extended period of Hospice care, with Mesa View Hospice. Harlow, known as "Doug" by his friends and family, was born August 20, 1926 in Fawn River Township, Michigan to Percy LeRoy and Rhoda (Himebaugh) Smith. Doug graduated from Lakeview High School in Battle Creek, Michigan, and served in the United States Air Force at the end of WWII. He returned home to marry the love of his life, Marion I. Cantrell in 1947. He also studied at Michigan State University. Most of his working career was with the Grand Trunk Railroad, where he started as a "fireman" shoveling coal into steam engines. He eventually became an "engineer" and stayed with that railroad for many years. His true passions were his family, his faith, and learning. From Bible studies, to self taught Calculus, he loved to learn; to think; and to work with electronics. One grandson affectionately called him, "a brilliant recluse", another said, "...he was a uniquely good man...kind to a fault, cool under pressure, keen of wit, and as honest and upright as a human could be capable...a big hearted gentleman with a quiet but firm faith, combined with reason and thoughtfulness...". As a 24/7 caregiver to his beloved Marion for her last 13 years of life, he was unfailingly loving and consistently capable, in short, he was our rock. Before coming to Mesquite in 2007, he was a decades long member of The Battle Creek Bible Church. He is preceded in death by his wife, Marion in 2004, and his only son, Stephen in 2014. Left to cherish his memory are; daughter, Cathy (George) Petrus, of Mesquite, NV; daughter-in-law, Kristina Smith of Battle Creek, MI; brother, Bruce (Jane) Smith of Knoxville, TN. Grandsons: Kyle (Chincha) Smith of Hermosa Beach CA; Todd (Liz) Phipps, of Mt. Horeb, WI; Greg Smith of Kalamazoo, MI; Michelle (Dennis) Simonaitis, Draper, UT; David (Suzanne Petrus), Salem, VA. Great grandsons, Evan and Ayden Smith of Hermosa Beach, CA. Memorial services will be held in Mesquite on Sunday, May 29th at 3 pm at the Mesquite United Methodist Church. Interment will take place in October in Battle Creek, Michigan. The family would like to express their love, thanks, and deepest gratitude to Veronica, and the other "angels" of Mesa View Hospice. The family also invites you to leave a message or a memory in the families "Guest Book" at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.