Christopher Francis Kekaimalu Smith

1987 - 2014

Christopher Francis Kekaimalu Smith

February 24, 1987

March 31, 2014

Christopher Francis Kekaimalu Smith was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 24, 1987. His Hawaiian name, "Kekaimalu", was given by a Hawaiian elder and it means "The Peaceful Sea". Chris grew up in Hawaii surrounded by adoring friends and family. You who know him will not be at all surprised that his first word was "backhoe". His first eight years were in Honolulu, where he grew up surrounded by doting family and many friends.

When he and Bo moved to Nevada, he met an entirely new community, and acquired a new set of grandparents and friends. He acquired a wonderful father, Stanley Smith, who had an enormous effect on his adolescence and his maturing as a man.

The family later adopted three-year-old Patreace, whom he called "Sissie". He and Patreace loved to argue with each other, and they also shared a very deep connection. Her illness and passing devastated Chris, who was with her as often as he could be, including when she died.

Motorcycles, junky cars, mustang horses, trucks, airplanes and all sorts of machinery were Chris's passion.

Chris was killed in an accident at work on March 31, 2014.

Chris is survived by his wife, Tammy Lynn Smith, of Wadsworth, a daughter - Paige Murphy, and a son - Jayden Ethridge-Smith. He is also survived by his mother and father - Stanley and Bonnie Smith of Nixon, mother-in-law Kelley Wilsey of Antioch CA, step-father-in-law Jerry Oliver of Fernley, maternal grandparents - Dr. & Mrs. George Read of Honolulu, and Dot Mason of Honolulu, Uncle - Greg (Chiwami Takagi) Read of San Jose, CA, Aunt - Arlene McMasters of Nixon, numerous great aunts, and great uncles, including Robert (Donna) Crutcher, , Hank Crutcher, Bill (Janet) Crutcher, Paul (Dolla) Davis of Carson City, Bonnie Ozaki-James of Honolulu , cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Patreace Smith, and maternal grandfathers Ed Crutcher and George Mason. He was a member of the McDermitt Paiute Tribe.

Services will be held at 11 AM on April 11th at the Nixon Gym, with internment to follow in Nixon Cemetery. A procession of fire trucks and motorcycles will travel from the I-80 Smokeshop to the Nixon Gym at 10 AM.