Nyle Brent Smith

Dr. Nyle Brent Smith
The curtains closed on Dr. Nyle Brent Smith's last earthly production on January 11, 2012, in Provo, Utah. He endured victoriously to the age of 54. Born July 12, 1957, in Escondido, California, to Ardis Knudsen Smith Voigtlander and Lyle Harrison Smith, he spent his youth in California, Texas, and Salt Lake City. He attended Ricks College, University of Utah, and Brigham Young University, and at the latter he studied Film and Television, was involved with the theater department, and worked with Tad Danielewski. At BYU he met his sweetheart and eternal companion, Caroljoy Cheney; they were married on August 5, 1985, and sealed for time and all eternity on August 8, 1986, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. Nyle attended Northwestern School of Law and was inducted into the Cornelius Honor Society, and after graduation, he was a family law attorney at Soriano and Valent and Associate Dean of Career Services at Northwestern School of Law until he retired.
Nyle loved the arts and filled his life with music and performance. He was nominated for the regional Irene Ryan drama award and performed in many productions over forty years, including Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at the Provo Tabernacle, multiple roles in the touring company of My Turn on Earth, and the Ghost of Christmas Present in Hale Center Theater's A Christmas Carol. He played several instruments, had a rich singing voice, and loved to conduct the singing in church. He was also a talented author and published two books including his autobiography, Flagpole Fighting and Other Lessons My Mother Taught Me. He loved culture, travel, intellectual thinking, animals, and Scrabble, and exuded a vibrancy and passion for life and the world around him. He had a rich zest for life and did not believe in allowing circumstances to dictate quality of living (embodied by his motto, Happy Not Crappy). Although he accomplished much in life, his daughters were his proudest achievement, and he their best friend. He taught his family and friends to have optimism in all circumstances, that family is the most important success in life, and that God lives.
Nyle is survived by his wife Caroljoy; daughters Ardis and Sarah; brothers Lane (Patricia), Barry (Julia), and Kent (Terri); sister-in-law Tammi; cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles; and Amanda and other adored part-time children. He is now reunited with his parents Ardis, Lyle, and George; brother Craig; son Craig Wendell; many beloved relatives; and of course Spike, Oozoos, and other beloved pets. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 14, at the Grove 1st Ward chapel, 56 S 1300 W, Pleasant Grove, Utah, with a viewing at the chapel from 7-9 pm on Friday, January 13, and 12:30-1:30 on Saturday. Funeral and cremation arrangements by Nyle's big brothers at SereniCare.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in memory of Nyle Smith.
Nagu Nyu, we love you; happy trails to you!