Dee Glen Smith Oral Histories, 1925-1984

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Carlisle, Howard M.
Title
Dee Glen Smith Oral Histories
Dates
1925-1984 (inclusive)
Quantity
7 boxes, (3 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 273
Summary
This collection consists of the audio cassette recordings and the typescripts of numerous oral history interviews conducted by Howard M. Carlisle during the 1980s about Dee Smith.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Dee Glen Smith was born September 30, 1925 in Brigham City, Utah the son of Ren and Seret Smith. He worked for his father, who owned a small grocery story, throughout his youth. He graduated from Box Elder High School in 1943 and quickly joined the US Army. During a leave of absence, Smith married his high school sweetheart, Ida Woodyatt in May 1944. After a honorable discharge as a corporal from the Army, Smith returned to help his father run his grocery store, quickly catching on to the daily store activity and soon taking over many responsibilities from his father. Smith joined with a partner and expanded his business, Smith's Grocery, into Ogden, Roy, and Layton, Utah. After his father passed away, Smith took over as president and began to expand even more throughout Utah and later into Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and other states. Many small grocery chains were up for sale at the time due to poor business practices and Dee Smith bought them up and consolidated them into a profitable venture. Dee Glen Smith died June 30, 1984 in Salt Lake City, Utah, leaving behind a billion dollar business that included 128 stores and 6,500 employees.

Dee Glen Smith Biographical Timeline:

  • 30 Sept. 1925 Born in Brigham City, Utah to Ren and Seret Smith
  • 22 May 1943 Graduated from Box Elder High School in Brigham City, Utah
  • 5 May 1944 Married High School sweetheart, Ida Woodyatt
  • January 1952 Awarded the Jaycee's Distinguished Service Award in Brigham City, Utah
  • 15 May 1975 Awarded the ‘City of Hope” award by the Food Industries Circle in Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Spring 1978 Awarded the Maurice Warshaw Golden Key Award
  • 25 May 1979 Named the food executive of the year by USC and the Food Marketing Management Institute
  • 22 June 1979 Awarded the ‘Golden Plate’ by the American Academy of Excellence
  • 12 May 1983 Awarded the distinguished executive award by the USU College of Business, Logan, Utah
  • 10 June 1983 Received an honorary PhD of humanities from Weber State College in Ogden, Utah
  • 30 June 1984 Died at age of 58 in Salt Lake City, Utah

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection consists of the audio cassette recordings and the typescripts of numerous oral history interviews conducted by Howard M. Carlisle during the 1980s. These interviews were conducted by Carlisle for use in writing his 1992 book, Fulfilling a Dream: The Dee Smith Story (see citation below). Concerning the content these interviews Carlisle stated;

The taped interviews are not restricted to topics related to the growth of the company. Several interviews are with older Brigham City residents (most of whom have since died) relating to early years and conditions in the community during the past century. Most notable are insights into the small general stores of the period, how investment capital was obtained during the Great Depression when banks were extremely conservative, and insights into living conditions in the typical small Utah community.

The material in this collection has been organized into two Series. Series I consists of the oral history typescripts, Carlisle's notes concerning the interviews, and one box (Box 3) containing information about Dee Smith's businesses. Series II consists of the oral history audio cassette and compact disc recordings.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Dee Glen Smith Oral Histories must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: Dee Glen Smith Oral Histories USU_COLL MSS 273, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations:USU_COLL MSS 273, USUSCA.

Alternative Forms Available

Contains audio cassette tapes and compact discs.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type.

Processing Note

Processed in February of 2006

Acquisition Information

The materials in this collection were donated to Utah State University Special Collections & Archives by Howard M. Carlisle in December 2002.

Related Materials

Carlisle, Howard M., Fulfilling a Dream: The Dee Smith Story, (HD 9321.95 .S64 C37 1992)

Dee Glen Smith Photograph Collection P0438

Separated Materials

Dee Glen Smith Photograph Collection P0438

Bibliography

Source:
Carlisle, Howard M., Fulfilling a Dream: The Dee Smith Story, (HD 9321.95 .S64 C37 1992)

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Interview TranscriptsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Ida Woodyatt Smith
3 interviews and notes on 2 tapes
1991 May 14 - 28
1 2
The Fred L. Smith family
1991 August 6
1 3
The Jeff P. Smith family
1991 June 26 - September 5
1 4
The Richie Dee Smith family
1991 June 26 - July 10
1 5
Ole and Ida Zundel
1991 May 16
1 6
Pearl Smith Arbon
1991 September 7
1 7
Ray and Mary Reese
1991 May 22
1 8
Erma Hansen
1991 May 28
1 9
Juanita Steffen
1991 August 21
1 10
Don Carlson
1991 May 31
1 11
Dale and Melva Baron
1991 September 23
1 12
Omer and Bette Call
1991 May 20
1 13
Dean and Peggy Candland
1991 October 19
1 14
Ted Earl
1991 September 23
1 15
Vera Fife
1991 August 15
1 16
Ed and Marva Frost
1991 September 3
1 17
Clinton Holmes
1991 October 1
1 18
Leroy Holmgren
1991 December 16
1 19
Reese and Miriam Jensen
1991 May 27
1 20
Shauna Nance Josten and Paul Nance
1991 December 23
1 21
John Larsen
1991 May 22
1 22
Ellen Mae Munns Manning
1991 December 6
1 23
Reed and Glenna Merrill
1991 May 25
1 24
Del and Shelly Nichols
1991 July 19
1 25
D. A. Olsen
1991 August 26
1 26
Verl and LaRaine Petersen
1991 May 17
1 27
Vern Petersen
1991 July 11
1 28
Grace Price
1991 July 19
1 29
Gene Munns Rich
not listed in interviews or in book
1991 December 2
1 30
Lloyd Robinette
1991 August 26
1 31
Jim Simper
1991 May 16
1 32
John and Alice Stewart
No Tape
undated
1 33
Lawrence C Taylor
1991 December 30
1 34
Blythe Tingey
No Tape or Transcript
undated
1 35
Effie Baty
1991 September 23
1 36
Glen and June Fife
1991 May 17
1 37
Fred and Eileen Forsgren
1991 July 3 - August
1 38
J. Leo Jensen
1991 May 27
1 39
Darel Johnson
1991 September 7
1 40
Karl Josephson
1991 December 2
1 41
Gary Loveland
1991 May 20
1 42
Earl Seegmiller
1991 September 2
1 43
Howard and Connie Simcox
1991 September 3
1 44
George Woodward
1991 August 9
1 55
Sam and Ann Park
1991 October 3
1 46
Lloyd and Geneil Pickett
1991 June 20
1 47
Izzy and JaNae Wagner
1991 June 20
2 48
Bob Bolinder
1991 November 4
2 49
Steve Burton
1991 October 30
2 50
Rich Bylski
1991 October 29
2 51
Jim Hallsey
1991 November 6
2 52
Larry McNeill
1991 November 3
2 53
Harry Moskal
1991 January 8
2 54
Dave Parmeter
1991 November 8
2 55
Jonathan Ramras
1991 October 21
2 56
Mat Tezak
1991 October 30
2 57
Oleen Watt
1991 July 1
2 58
Ken White
1991 December 3
2 59
Corina Williams
1991 September 6
2 60
Jay Arbon
1991 November 14
2 61
Carl Blair
No Tape
1991 November 13
2 62
Rick Bovero
1991 November 20
2 63
Dirk Burningham
1991 November 20
2 64
Tim Cook
No Tape
1991 November 13
2 65
Pete Cowan
1991 November 14
2 66
Kathleen Foote
No Tape
1991 November 13
2 67
Randy Johnson
1991 November 20
2 68
Jack Kelley
1991 November 14
2 69
Bob Lee
1991 November 20
2 70
Jon Little
1991 November 14
2 71
Marilyn Weaver
1991 November 14
2 72
Delonne Anderson
1991 May 21
2 73
Ralph Drake
1991 October 30
2 74
Darlene Hobson
1991 July 30
2 75
Rocky LaSalle
1991 December 6
2 76
Al Martindale
(2 tapes)
1991 May 30
2 77
Marv Mumford
1991 September 24
2 78
Winnie and Mont Rosenburg
1991 July 25
2 79
John Shipp
1991 September 16
2 80
Art Toimoto
1991 August 7
2 81
Frank and Emma Warner
1991 July 25
2 82
Tom Welch
1991 September 6
2 83
Jack Williams
1991 November 30
2 84
Grant Woolley
1991 October 30
2 85
Lawrence P. Alder
1991 November 18
2 86
Dick Bartholomew
1991 December 18
2 87
James and Lucille Chamberlin
1991 December 12
2 88
Mac Christensen
1991 October 21
2 89
Winston Fillmore
1991 October 3
2 90
Beverly Howell
1991 December 2
2 91
Gil Iker
1991 December 23
2 92
Marvin G. Jenson
No Tape
1991 September 16
2 93
Bob Love
1992 January 28
2 94
Walt Macy
1991 August 7
2 95
Vince Mancini
1991 December 18
2 96
M. H. Martin
1991 December 23
2 97
Keith Nuttall
1992 January 15
2 98
Duane Peters
1991 August 2
2 99
Pete Randall
No Transcript and No Tape
undated
2 100
Ed Reynolds
1991 December 6
2 101
Jack Robins
1991 December 30
2 102
Ray Rose
1991 December 6
2 103
Jack Shaum
1991 December 9
2 104
D. Gil Warner
1991 September 6
2 105
Tom Winegar
1991 December 6
2 106
Wayne Winegar
1991 November 20
2 107
Swede Larson
No Tape
1991 October 3
2 108
Haven Simmons
1991 December 10

Materials concerning Dee Smith’s business, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
3 109
Obituaries and remembrances of Dee Smith, his family, and friends
undated
3 110
The Food and the Golf
undated
3 111
Awards and honors
undated
3 112
Smith’s Management Newsletter
undated
3 114
The Inter-com Newsletter
undated
3 115
Smith’s Magazine
undated
3 116
Expansion and acquisitions
undated
3 117
The business of Smith’s
undated
3 118
Notes and miscellaneous items
undated

Series II:  Audio Cassettes and Compact DiscsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Tape 1: Ida Woodyatt Smith
1991 May 14
1
Tape 2: Ole and Ida Zundel
1991 May 16
1
Tape 3: Jim Simper, Brigham City
1991 May 16
1
Tape 4: Glen and June Fife
1991 May 17
1
Tape 5: Omer and Bette Call
1991 May 20
1
Tape 6: Delonne Anderson
1991 May 21
1
Tape 7: Delonne Anderson
1991 May 22
1
Tape 8: Ray and Mary Reese; John Larsen
1991 May 22
1
Tape 9: J. Leo Jensen; Reese and Miriam Jensen
1991 May 27
1
Tape 10: Erma Hansen
1991 May 28
1
Tape 11: Erma Hansen
1991 May 28
1
Tape 11: Ida Woodyatt Smith
1991 May 28
1
Tape 12: Lloyd and Geneil Pickett; Izzy and JaNae Wagner
1991 June 20
1
Tape 13: The Jeff P. Smith family
1991 June 26
1
Tape 14: The Richie Dee Smith family
1991 June 26
1
Tape 15: Oleen Watt
1991 July 1
2
Tape 1: Darlene Hobson
1991 July 30
2
Tape 2: The Richie Dee Smith family; The Jeff P. Smith family
1991 July 10
2
Tape 3: Winnie and Mont Rosenburg; Frank and Emma Warner
1991 July 25
2
Tape 4: The Fred L. Smith family
1991 August 6
2
Tape 5: The Fred L. Smith family
1991 August 6
2
Tape 6: Art Toimoto
1991 August 7
2
Tape 7: Corina Williams; Joe Watts
Joe Watts is not listed
1991 September 6
2
Tape 8: Ed and Marva Frost; John Shipp
1991 September 3- September 16
2
Tape 9: Tom Welch; D. Gil Warner
1991 September 6
2
Tape 10: Darel Johnson; Pearl Smith Arbon
1991 September 7
2
Tape 11: Marv Mumford
1991 September 24
2
Tape 12: Dale and Melva Baron; Effie Baty
1991 September 23
2
Tape 13: Jonathan Ramras; Mac Christensen; Ole and Ida Zundel
1991 May 16-1991 October 21
2
Tape 14: Rich Bylski
1991 October 29
2
Tape 15: Grant Woolley
1991 October 30
2
Tape 16: Steve Burton; Mat Tezak
1991 October 30
3
Tape 1: Jay Arbon; Jon Little
1991 November 14
3
Tape 2: Marilyn Weaver; Pete Cowan; Jack Kelley
1991 November 14
3
Tape 3: Wayne Winegar; Bob Bolinder and Larry McNeill
1991 November 4-20
3
Tape 4: Randy Johnson
1991 November 20
3
Tape 5: Randy Johnson; Rick Bovero; Dirk Burningham
1991 November 20
3
Tape 6: Jack Williams; Beverly Howell and Gene Munns Rich; Karl Josephson
(Gene Munns Rich not listed in interviews or in book)
1991 November 30 - December 2
3
Tape 7: Ed Reynolds; Ken White and Ed Reynolds
1991 December 3- December 6
3
Tape 8: Rocky LaSalle; Ray Rose; Ellen Mae Munns Manning
1991 December 6
3
Tape 9: Jack Shaum
1991 December 9
3
Tape 10: Haven Simmons and James and Lucille Chamberlin
1991 December 10 - 12
3
Tape 11: Gil Iker and M. H. Martin
1991 December 23
3
Tape 12: Dick Bartholomew; Vince Mancini; James and Lucille Chamberlin and Shauna Nance Josten and Paul Nance
1991 December 18 - 23
3
Tape 13: Jack Robins; Lawrence C. Taylor and Harry Moskal
1991 December 30 - 1992 January 8
4
Tape 1: Jim Hallsey and Tom Winegar
1991 November 6 - December 6
4
Tape 2: Don Carlson and Ted Earl
1991 May 31 - September 23
4
Tape 3: Ralph Drake and Winston Fillmore
1991 October 30
4
Tape 4: Del and Shelly Nichols; Grace Price and Vera Fife
1991 July 19 - August 15
4
Tape 5: Reed and Glenna Merrill; Howard and Connie Simcox
1990 May 25- 1991 September 3
4
Tape 6: Duane Peters; Dean and Peggy Candland
1991 August 2- October 19
4
Tape 7: Dave Parmeter; Al Martindale
1991 May 30-November 8
4
Tape 8: Al Martindale; Lawrence P. Alder
1991 May 30- November 8
4
Tape 9: Leroy Holmgren; Sam and Ann Park
1991 October 3-December 16
4
Tape 10: Earl Seegmiller; George Woodward
1991 August 9-September 2
4
Tape 11: Marv Mumford; Walt Macy
1991 August 7-September 24
4
Tape 12: Keith Nuttall; Gary Loveland
1991 May 20-1992 January 15
4
Tape 13: Verl and LaRaine Petersen; Bob Love
1991 May 17- 1992 January 28
4
Tape 14: Fred and Eileen Forsgren; Juanita Steffen; D. A. Olsen
1991 July 3- August 26
4
Tape 15: Fred and Eileen Forsgren; D. A. Olsen; Lloyd Robinette
1991 August 12- August 26
5
CD 1: Delonne Anderson
(see also box 1, tape 7)
1991 May 21
5
CD 2: Delonne Anderson
(see also box 1, tape 6 &7)
1991 May 21
5
CD 3: Al Martindale
(see also box 4, tape 7 & 8)
1991 May 30
5
CD 4: Al Martindale
(see also box 4, tape 7)
1991 May 30
5
CD 5: J. Leo Jensen
(see box 1, tape 9)
1991 May 27
5
CD 6: Erma Hansen
(see box 1, tape 10 & 11)
1991 May 28
5
CD 7: Erma Hansen
(see box 1, tape 10 & 11)
1991 May 28
5
CD 8: Don Carlson
(see box 4, tape 2)
1991 May 31
5
CD 9: Jim Simper
(see box 1, tape 3)
1991 May 16
5
CD 10: Lloyd Robinette
(see box 4, tape 15)
1991 August 26
5
CD 11: Vera Fife
(see box 4, tape 4)
1991 August 15
5
CD 12: Effie Baty
(see box 2, tape 12)
1991 September 23
5
CD 13: Karl Josephson
(see box 3, tape 6)
1991 December 2
5
CD 14: George Woodward
(see box 4, tape 10)
1991 August 9
5
CD 15: Keith Nuttall
(see box 4, tape 12)
1992 January 15
5
CD 16: Tom Welch
(see box 2, tape 9)
1991 September 6
5
CD 17: Glen and June Fife
(see box 1, tape 14)
1991 May 17

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Smith, Dee Glen, 1925-1984

Corporate Names

  • Smith's Food & Drug Centers