Wesley Smith (Wes)

Mellette, SD

1933, 790, Hazelrodt, F-11,

Wesley Smith was born Thomas Wesley Smith on February 18, 1910 to Ernest and Jennie (Stelle) Smith at Mellette, Spink, South Dakota. He was the eldest son in a family of nine children and grew up on the family farm near the James River. He attended country schools and graduated from Mellette High School in 1930. After working at the Hazelrodt CCC camp in the Black Hills in the 1930's, he went to California in 1940. Wesley got a job at Lockheed Aircraft and worked there 31 years, retiring in 1972. He married Helen McLaughlin in 1955.

There was nothing Wes couldn't build or repair. He excelled in mechanics but was also good with wood and building materials.

Wes loved South Dakota and especially the Black Hills.

He passed away Nov. 22, 1975 and is buried at Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, CA.

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