Matthew “Matt” Smith

October 25, 1974 - March 17, 2023

We are saddened to share the news of the unexpected passing of Matt Smith, 48, loving husband to Richelle and devoted father to Averee (20) and Jaiden (14). Matt passed away suddenly on Friday, March 17, while at home recovering from outpatient surgery.

Matt was born on October 25, 1974, in Denver, Colorado. He attended high school at Arvada High and subsequently attended Regis University, where he earned his BA. Matt was a Colorado kid through and through, rooting for his home teams through the Championship years and the sometimes long losing streaks. That was Matt—loyal to family, friends, and everything Colorado through the good times and the tough times.

Matt and Richelle “Shelly” are one of those couples about whom songs are written. Their moms became best friends in high school and have remained friends throughout the past five decades. When Matt was born, his mom asked Shelly’s mom to be Matt’s Godmother. Matt and his sister Lisa and Shelly and her brother Koery literally grew up together. When Matt and Shelly were in their twenties, they had their first child, Averee, who is now a sophomore at CSU. Six years later came Jaiden, now 14 and a freshman at Boulder High School. Matt celebrated his kids’ every milestone and accomplishment. His family was his happy place, and there was nowhere he loved to be with them more than in the Colorado outdoors. He went camping, skiing and golfing with family and friends as often as possible. He and Shelly always dreamed of owning their own home, and when they finally could afford one, Matt took pride in keeping their yard and garden impeccable. He rarely missed his daily 3-mile walks with the family’s two dogs, Tsuki and Dobby, who also greatly miss him. Dinners and barbeques with their extended families and time with Shelly’s brother Koery and other friends were his kind of fun. Simply put, Matt was a dedicated family man and a friend you could count on. He will be deeply missed by his wife, children, family, friends and all those who had the good fortune to know him.

Matt was preceded in death by his sister Alicia “Lisa” Nadine Clifton, whom he missed very much. In addition to his wife and children, Matt is mourned by his mother, Deborah Benke-Davis, his father, Robert Smith, his Godmother and mother-in-law, Janet Korman; his “brother in soul”, James “Koery” Eckenrode, and his half-sister, Crystalynn Smith, as well as his nieces, Elyssa and Autumn and their children Colton, Piper, Jameson and John Lucas.

A service will be held on March 31, 2023 at 1:30 p.m., at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home, 9998 Grant Street in Thornton, CO 80229, with a reception to follow at the nearby Northglenn Recreation Center.

The family would like to thank Be A Tree Cremation in Denver for providing a green alternative that will return Matt to the natural world he loved so much.

Celebration of Life

 

Friday, March 31

1:30 PM
Horan & McConaty Funeral Home
9998 Grant Street
Thornton, CO 80229

Reception
Northglenn Recreation Center
1 E Mem Pkwy
Northglenn, CO 80233