Harley Kenneth Smith

Harley ?Kenneth? Smith, a resident of Chino Valley passed away at the age of 67 years old on Saturday, December 30, 2006, due to cancer, under the care of YRMC Hopsice through to the end.            Ken was born on April 25, 1939 in Stuart, Iowa; the son of Charley Smith and Emma (Caviness) Smith.        Ken  was united in marriage  to Evelyn Gay Smith (deceased, September 2, 2006) in Phoenix on April 11, 1959. He served in the United States Navy, 1958-1963, where he had obtained the rank of petty oficier 3rd. class when honorably discharges.   Ken served as a foster parent for 19 years in California, while also running his own buisness (Tri-Mold) as a mold maker. Their first foster\adopted children were welcomed to their home in 1967. In 1976 their fourth natural son was born. The family moved to Chino Valey in 1985 and continued to  excell in operating a profeesional foster parent home. Ken was certified as a professional foster parent in 1989, which is also when becam officially retried as a mold maker. He continued caring for foster children until his wife of 47 years passed away, September 2, 2006 at that time he made a decision to retire from foster care. Ken was honored in April , 2004 with the Foster Parent of the Year Award; for all his outstanding achievements, assomplishments and serive to the community by the Governor of Arizona.   Kenneth is survived by his sisters; Lucille Wolfe, Carol Robbins, Beverly Holder; his brother; Charles Smith, Leland Smith and Jim Smith; 15 children, seven legal guardianships; 27 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.   Kenneth was loved and respected by many and will be missed by all. Throughout his lifetime he opened his home to over 500 foster children. Ken?s opinions and recommendations on children throughout the foster care community were respected by all; be it judges, case works, therapists, etc.   The family will be receiving friends and neighbors. 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 3rd at the Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, corner of Cortez and Carleton, in Prescott with  a Celebration honoring the life of Kenneth 3:00 p.m. Thursday, January 4, 2006 at the Heights Church, 2121 Larry Caldwell Drivel followed by burial at the Chino Valley Cemetery; Rd 2 South in Chino Valley,