Russell Dewayne Smith, born January 31, 1972, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. At the time of his death, he was residing in Golden, CO and loved working for Carlton Electric.

Russell was small as a child. But what he lacked in size he more than made up for in scrappiness and fierce determination. Add to those a pint of charm and good looks. He needed those qualities and more to contend with what life threw at him. He fought many battles and just as soon as you thought he was down for the count, he was up and ready again. Finally, he attained the life he had always wanted. His wife Kelly shared his zeal for life, his love of 80’s rock music and motorcycles. They were making a good life in Colorado with his career as an electrician just getting started. Who knows what he could have accomplished had his life not been cut short in a tragic motorcycle accident?

He lived life his way, strong, independent (never wanting big brother Alan to tell him what to do or not do), ornery, funny, and free spirited. As a child of the 80’s he was always a cool dude from his long blonde permed ‘David Lee Roth’ hair to his ripped-up Motley Crue shirt, spandex pants and knee high fringed moccasins. His best friends from the neighborhood – Scott and Jimmy were always right there with him stirring up some trouble with big brother watching over them all.

He is survived by his wife Kelly, of the home. His mother, Judy and stepfather, Gary Lynch of Oklahoma City, brother Gary Alan Smith of Oklahoma City, daughter Hailey Dye of California, son Kyle of Oklahoma City and his bonus daughter, Ashlyn Milligan of Oklahoma, as well as aunts, cousins and family members who loved him. We cannot forget his kit-Kats Bam and Sissy who gave him much pleasure and companionship.

We are in deep gratitude to UCHealth in Denver for their compassionate and respectful care for Russell and the family and also for St. Anthony Hospital, Lakewood who through one of their compassionate staff members was able to contact the Flight for Life Ambulance who brought Kelly on a stretcher to UCHealth for their last farewell.

Russell will be helping other people live on as an organ and tissue donor.

Russell, your memory will live on in each of us. Ride high with the angels and we will see you on the other side.