J. Monte Smith was born July 29, 1937 in Scottsbluff, NE to parents Arvin and Agnes (Keenan) Smith. He died March 12, 2007 at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 69 years. Montes family lived in Wyoming, California, and Clark, SD before settling in Aberdeen, SD in 1946. He attended Sacred Heart elementary and junior high and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1955. He graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1961 with a BS Degree in Chemical Engineering. He married Karen Asbjeld of Alcester, SD in 1958 and they lived in Rapid City, SD. In 1961 they moved to New York City where he took a job with Exxon Corporations chemical affiliate. In 1964 the company transferred them to Brussels, Belgium. They returned to the states in 1969 and lived in Houston, TX and Maplewood, NJ. They returned to Houston, TX in 1978 and remained there until 1994 when he retired and they moved to Beresford, SD. For many years he was active in the National Petroleum Refining Association and the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association. He was an active volunteer for the United Way. After retirement Monte enjoyed woodworking, gardening and having his grandchildren close by. He also enjoyed travel and time spent in their home in the Black Hills. Monte is survived by his son Paul of Beresford, SD; daughter Leslie Oswald and husband Wade of Beresford; 4 grandchildren: Taylor and Stone Martin, Adam Smith and Amanda Oswald; two sisters: Beth Heidenreich and husband Wesley of Georgia and Mary Jo Duncan and husband Gary of St. Paul, MN. He was preceded in death by his wife Karen and his parents. A memorial service will be held 2PM, Saturday, March 17, 2007 at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford.