Clarence Smith

Obituary of Clarence Grant Smith

C. GRANT SMITH Services will be held in Santa Cruz on Tuesday and Wednesday for Clarence Grant Smith, who peacefully passed away to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at Dominican Hospital. He was 84 years old. Born in Canton, Ohio, Grant moved to Buffalo NY, and Michigan as a youth. As a young man he and his parents moved to California, where he worked for a lighting company in San Francisco as a designer. Shortly after that, he moved to Redondo Beach and worked for Hughes Aircraft Company in Culver City, as a Mechanical Engineer. While working at Hughes he received many commendations and patents. During this time, the U.S. space program was in its infancy and Grant's work with the cameras aboard 'Surveyor' were instrumental in determining the moon's surface and possible landing sites for future manned space flights. Residing in Pacific Palisades, he earned his real estate broker's license and sold homes there and later in Santa Cruz County, where he and his wife Bette have resided for the past 39 years. His education included Wayne University in Detroit and he received his BA from St. Mary's College. Grant was a multi-talented entrepreneur, and along with his engineering background he also obtained a general contractors license. He owned and operated Smith Construction Company, building homes in Aptos and working as a broker. As the construction boom slowed, Grant worked for Lockheed in Sunnyvale as a Construction Engineer. His career in aerospace spanned over 25 years. He was very active in both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, serving as Cub master of Cub Pack #616. He was a very talented woodworker and helped his children and grandchildren build Pine Wood Derby cars. He also enjoyed creating several children's rocking chairs, doll cars and accessories, as well as other gifts for his children and grandchildren. Spending time with his children and grandchildren was a favorite pastime of his. An avid golfer, and as a member of SIRS and Cabrillo Lions Club, he leaves many dear friends and colleagues whom he shared time with, on the golf course and participating in different activities. Grant was a member of F&A.M., Santa Cruz Methodist Church, and also attended Twin Lakes Church. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bette Smith of Capitola, his daughter, Deborah Robinson of Scotts Valley; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Drew Hinds of Brentwood; and son and daughter-in-law, David and Barbara Smith of Scotts Valley. His 10 grandchildren: David, Charles, Christina and Matthew Robinson; Zachary, Austin and Sierra Hinds; and Kay, Daniel, and Nicholas "Nico" Smith. Grant was preceded in death by his sister. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 19th at the Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St. in Santa Cruz beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Friends may also pay their respects at a viewing on Tuesday, May 18th, at the chapel, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Remembrances may be made to The American Heart Association, Boy Scouts of America, or Heifer International.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel
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