Kevin Wilfred Smith

Kevin "Smitty" Smith passed away, leaving behind a lifetime of cherished memories and deep connections. He was preceded in death by his mother, Eleonore; his father, Donald; and his nephew, Sage. He is survived by his brother, Keith “Dixie”; his children, Joelle and Iris; and his nieces, Porter and Sophi.

Kevin grew up in Kent, OH, where he developed a passion for sports from an early age. His youth football coach gave him the nickname “Smitty,” a name that stuck with him throughout his life. His mother, Eleonore, was his biggest fan, always cheering him on. A fierce competitor, Kevin was the teammate everyone wanted by their side. In high school, he excelled in athletics, earning varsity letters in football, baseball, and wrestling. Through sports, Kevin and his younger brother Keith "Dixie" became part of a close-knit group of friends he referred to as brothers. Together, they shared countless adventures—attending legendary concerts like Metallica, traveling across the country, golfing together, watching Dallas Cowboys football games, watching movies, and as adults even forming a flag football team that placed third in the state.

Beyond sports, Kevin had a deep love for nature and the outdoors. This passion led him to a career in horticulture and landscape architecture. He had an incredible ability to identify plants, grasses, and trees simply by sight—even recognizing trees without leaves in wintertime. His expertise extended to operating all types of excavation equipment with precision. Known for his unmatched work ethic and physical stamina, Kevin took great pride in making the world around him more beautiful. Even as his health declined, he continued showing up at dawn each day, to do what he loved.

Kevin’s greatest joy in life was being a father to his two beautiful daughters, Joelle and Iris. He never missed an opportunity to remind them how special they were, how proud he was of them, and how much they were loved. Joelle, named after his mother, shares his love for great music—a trait she inherited along with her uncanny resemblance to her—while Iris, named after his favorite flower and the Goddess of the Rainbow, carries on his passion for sports. Some of their fondest memories together included riding around on the golf course, visiting the zoo and county fairs to see the animals, and spending time in downtown Kent—a place filled with history and meaning for their family.

Despite facing many challenges throughout his life, Kevin remained generous-hearted and kind. He would give you the shirt off his back, and had the most beautiful soul. We will miss his infectious humor, his hysterical stories, his laughter, his warmth, his candidness, his stubbornness, and everything about him that made him one of a kind. We will never forget him.

A private burial will be held. His family looks forward to bringing together all who knew and loved him for a celebration of his life at a later date.

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