Kenneth Bernard Smith

OBITUARY
In Loving Memory of
KENNETH BERNARD SMITH
February 2, 1964 to January 6, 2024


Kenneth Bernard Smith, 59, passed away peacefully on the evening of Saturday, January 6th, 2024, at Littleton Adventist Hospital in Littleton, Colorado and was less than a month shy of his 60th birthday. He was born February 2nd, 1964, in Columbus, Ohio at Lockbourne Air Force Base to John Henry Smith, Jr. and Mildred Jacqueline (Hall) Smith. He was the 4th and youngest child born to this union.

During his childhood years, he attended elementary school in the Department of Defense (DoD) or public-school districts for the Air Force Bases where his parents and family were stationed. This included two schools at Amarillo AFB, TX; Air Force Accounting and Finance Center, Denver, CO at Asbury Elementary School 1969-1974; Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX at Lackland Elementary School 1974-1975; and Clark AFB, Angeles City, Philippines at Wagner Elementary School 1975-1977 before returning to the USA in Denver, CO.

Once he was back in Denver, CO, he attended Jessie Hamilton Junior High School from 1977-1979; Thomas Jefferson (TJ) High School 1979-1980; Mullin High School from 1980-1981 and again at TJ High School in 1981-1982 where he graduated in June 1982. He played and lettered in varsity football each year of high school including: 2 years as a TJ Spartan and 1 year as a Mullin Mustang. Kenneth participated as a Cub Scout, a Webelo and as a Boy Scout for a number of years. He consistently attended Church and Sunday School at Calvary Baptist Church of Denver.

Kenneth attended college at Tuskegee University in Alabama from 1982 – 1984 which is John and Mildred's alma mater, where he played college football as well. He also attended Metropolitan State University formerly known as Metropolitan State College of Denver. Kenneth worked a short time for a variety of companies including Coors Brewing Company in Golden, Colorado before working in Promotions for several companies.

Kenneth found his calling in life as the primary caregiver for his parents and spent several years cooking, communicating, administering medications and providing transportation to and from church, events, shopping, medical/dental/vision appointments, and other excursions.

Kenneth was a loving son, brother, uncle and cousin and exhibited a keen sense of humor throughout his life. As an adolescent and throughout high school, he had the ability to imitate just about anyone making many people laugh in the process. The depth of his laugh was infectious and moving. Kenneth enjoyed interfacing with people and his demeanor made you comfortable in his presence.

Kenneth was preceded in death his parents, Col. John Henry Smith, Jr., and Mildred Jacqueline (Hall) Smith.

Kenneth is survived by his older siblings including sister Cassandra Denise (Michael G.) Williams, sister Regina Persephony Smith, brother Michael Jonathan (Gina Lanae Tunson) Smith and nephew Matthew Alan Smith, nephew Marcus Aaron (Carly Moore) Smith and niece Jessica Ashley Smith; grandnieces Aubrey Belle Smith and Naomi Camille Smith and grandnephew Tripp Reginald Pulsipher Smith and several cousins and grand cousins. In addition, Kenneth is also survived by three aunts on his father's side: Marvarene Parker, Alma Jean Brazier and Dorothy Smith.

Kenneth touched and left fond and loving memories in many people's lives. He was known as a "Gentle Giant" with a big heart. Kenneth exemplified the famous quote from the movie classic The Wizard of Oz when the wizard gives the Tin Man his heart and says, "A heart is not judged by how much you love but by how much you are loved by others".