PAUL N. SMITH
April 1, 1931–April 29, 2026
Paul N. Smith, 95, of Beulah, Wyoming, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday April 29, 2026.
He was born in Sundance, Wyoming, on April 1, 1931, to Benjamin Alexander (Alex) and Mary (Silverstrand) Smith. He went to the Rifle Pit School near Beulah through the eighth grade, then to Sundance High School, graduating in 1949. He had many memories of the Blizzard of ‘49.
He attended Black Hills State College for three years, where he met the love of his life, Violet Draper. They were married in August 1954. Their son, Robert, arrived in 1957, followed by their daughter, Melissa, in 1961.
Paul was a farmer and rancher, growing wheat and raising Herefords and Hereford/Angus cross until he retired at 79.
He is survived by his wife, Violet of 72 years; son, Robert (Jessica Drenning); daughter, Melissa (Malcolm) Mitchell; grandchildren, Toshia, Amber, Ingrid, Matthew and Megan; several great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Amylena (Roger) Olson; one niece and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by both parents, father-in-law, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, Polly Smith, and one great-grandchild.
He was a Past Master of the Sundance Lodge No. 9 AF&AM in Sundance; a member of Dakota Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar; Lookout Chapter No. 36, Royal Arch Masons; a 60-plus-year member and Past Patron of Electa Chapter No. 5, Sundance; a Past Associate Guardian of Bethel No. 43 Job’s Daughters, Sundance; and a member of the Sundance United Methodist Church. He received a 70-plus-year pin from the Grand Lodge of Wyoming in 2023. Paul was also a former library board member and an active member of Friends of the Library in Sundance.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 7, at the Sundance United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Masonic Graveside Rites will be held at the Green Mountain Cemetery.
Memorials may be made out to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.