We mournfully announce the passing of Michael “Mike” Ralph Smith, 71, of Arvada, Colorado. Mike was born on October 11th, 1949 to Ralph and Mickey Smith in Denver, Colorado. When he was young the family moved to Southern California, first to San Diego then to Sepulveda. Mike attended James Monroe High School where he graduated in 1967. Following High School he entered the service of his country in the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy Mike served as an SH-3D helicopter crew chief participating in the recovery of NASA Apollo missions 10, 11, 12 and 13 as well as operations in support of the war in Vietnam. Mike served aboard the USS Iwo Jima, the USS Princeton and the USS Hornet as a member of HS-4 the “Black Knights”. Following his service in the Navy Mike moved to Colorado to start a family and attend Colorado Aerotech. Soon he joined the family business at Arvada Draperies where he spent the next 15 years. Following the closing of the business he moved on to Hunter-Douglas until he retired. Mike passed away on October 6th 2021 after a fight with pancreatic cancer. Mike is survived by his son Josh and his grandson Zach as well as cousins, nephews and many friends. We will celebrate his life at Malesich & Shirey Funeral Home on October 20th at 10:00 a.m. and Interment at Fort Logan National Cemetery on October 22nd at 2:15 p.m.. In lieu of flowers a memorial donation can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project - https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/