Brett Martin Smith

TO THE LIFE LIVED BY BRETT MARTIN SMITH -

Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother,

Veteran, Friend, Disciple

Brett Martin Smith was born June 27, 1958, in Fresno, California and passed away July 29, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona.

He was born to Lloyd Dudley Smith and Verda Mortensen Steimle Allen and was the youngest of 3 sons. Early in his childhood, he with his brothers, Roger and Monte, moved with their mother back to Lehi, Arizona (which they would all proudly share was originally settled by their pioneer ancestors). He had a typical boyhood filled with riding bikes, being chased by girls, building treehouses, and the occasional troublemaking and injuries. It was here that he developed lifelong friendships and laid roots which he always cherished.

For his formal education, he attended the Old Lehi Elementary School, Kino Junior High, and finished his schooling at Westwood High. Beyond that, he was primarily self-taught, which actually impressed future employers as his acquired skills landed him jobs as a computer programmer at companies including AZ Department of Transportation, CDI Technologies, and Honeywell.

Outside of work, he had several other life pursuits which he was also very proud of. In his teen years, he was an avid dirt bike rider and was considered one of the fastest motocross racers in Arizona at the time - earning the nickname "Gumby" for his resilience on the track. After high school, he enlisted in the US Navy, serving across the Pacific and the Arabian Gulf as a sonar technician - claiming the moniker "Popeye" for his time at sea. He was ever the creative, with guitar-playing and songwriting, poetry and art, plus his freelance web-design (most notably the Dan Fogelberg fan page) - all done in his signature boots and hat - thus, he adopted the handle "Country Boy Extraordinaire," alluding back to his Lehi upbringing.

From the beginning, he never lost his faith, and he clung to his testimony that no matter where life took him, he could always find refuge and strength in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an ordained elder in the priesthood, and a dedicated ward missionary. Despite never getting the opportunity to serve a full-time mission for the church, he made up for it by sharing his beliefs every chance he got. From his neighbors to his Facebook friends, the taxi driver to the pizza delivery boy, even his voicemail at one point was a 3-minute sermon of the truths he held dear. Regardless of where he was or whom he met, he made sure people knew he was a "Mormon" - and that's why many know him as "Brother Smith."

Of all the things he's done and the titles he's held, the role that will forever be his greatest joy is that of a father and being called "Dad." To his son, Parker, and daughter, Kristi, he was a coach, a teacher, and an endless source of life lessons. To him, they were his cheerleaders, his motivators, his reason to live. Anyone who knows Brett knows he could talk about anything, names and dates included, but nothing rivaled his ability to brag about his children. That sense of pride in his posterity only grew as he became a grandfather to 6 granddaughters and 1 grandson, though none to carry on the Smith family name just yet.

He suffered from various health ailments, and though he endured them well, he ultimately succumbed to cancer and its effects. He would never admit it, though, for he was adamant he would die of old age. We find comfort in knowing that at the "old" age of 66, he slipped peacefully into his final slumber, at his home, in his sleep, and now his body can at last rest from its mortal afflictions as his spirit reunites with those loved ones that have gone before. His death is preceded by that of his parents, his eldest brother, Roger, and his infant sister, Cheryl Jeanne. He is survived by his children Parker Smith (wife, Tiffany), Kristina King (husband, Shannon), and a combined 7 grandchildren, as well as his brother, LaMonte Smith, and numerous extended family members.

AGENDA OF EVENTS TO HONOR BRETT SMITH

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2024

VIEWING: 11:00-12:30

Falconer Funeral Home 

251 W Juniper Ave

Gilbert, AZ  85233

BURIAL: 1:00-2:00 

Mesa Cemetery

1212 N Center St

Mesa, AZ  85201

FUNERAL SERVICES: 3:00-4:00

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

810 E Lehi Rd

Mesa, AZ  85203

*In lieu of flowers, honor our father by paying for someone's order the next time you're in the drive thru. *