Darrell Smith

Our Dad, Pops, Papa, Darrell Smith passed away unexpectedly on August 29th, 2018. Darrell was born to Cecil and Maxine Smith on November 14th, 1941. After dropping out of High School, Darrell enrolled into the army on January 29th, 1960 and reached the status of Staff Sergeant before his honorable discharge on January 28th, 1963. At the end of 1964, Darrell’s friends encouraged him to go with them to to Englewood Speedway to watch the figure eight races. This is where he fell in love with racing. Two weeks later he had built his first figure eight car. For 53 years he had become a familiar face in the Colorado racing community. Englewood, Fort Morgan, Lakeside Speedway, Rocky Mountain Speedway, Pikes Peak International Speedway and Colorado National Speedway (Erie) are the tracks in Colorado he has raced on. Outside of Colorado he has raced in New York, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Nevada, Florida, Arizona, and many other tracks across the United States. As well as building race cars, he has been, driver, car owner, sponsor, crew chief and mentor to many drivers. Darrell was inducted into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2016, he also was one of few people to receive the Carol Asbury Overall Sportsman Award. His final race was on August 25th, 2018 at Colorado National Speedway. After dragging his feet for five years, he finally married Vickie Smith on August 16th, 1985; they were married for 33 years. Vickie recently passed away on August 6th, 2018. Darrell was a member of the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame and the Front Range Antique Power Association (tractor club). Darrell and his granddaughters would often be seen driving his tractor in the local parades. Darrell will be deeply missed by his surviving children, Terri Miller (Doug) of Windsor CO, Mark Miller of Aurora CO, Troy Miller of Missoula MT, and Sean Smith (Megan) of Greeley CO. Surviving step children, Kathy Hebditch, John Hebditch (Michelle), and Mike Pratt (Liz), all of Littleton CO. Surviving grandchildren, Scott Miller of Loveland CO, Tara Doak (Kyle) of Fort Collins CO, Cory Miller (Adrienne) of Severence CO, Jett and Brody Miller, Missoula, MT, Jennifer Miller, Aurora, CO, Jessica and Nicole Miller, Lewistown, MT, Jamie Palmer (Travis) of Littleton CO, Jessica Hebditch (Jeff) of Hudson CO, Cyrus Smith of Greeley, CO and Emma Pratt of Littleton CO, along with four great grandchildren, Kylie, Haven, Caroline, and Tanner. Also survived by brother, Mike Smith (Bobbie), and sister, Cherry Hills (Bud). Numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews survive. He was preceded by Vickie Smith (Wife), Cecile and Maxine Smith (Parents), twins LaDawn and Christopher Smith and Joe Hall (Shmoe, son-in-law). Memorial donations can be made to: DaVita Dialysis, email [email protected], in memory of Darrell and Vickie Smith