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Michael Smith Obituary
Gilbert - Dr. Michael Jay Smith of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away on October 4, 2018 after battling brain and liver cancer for the past six and a half months.
Michael was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 9, 1951 to Roland and Madge Smith. After his parents were killed in a small plane accident, his uncle and aunt, Milan Dale and Jessica Udall Smith, raised him and his sister, Kathleen, in Chevy Chase, Maryland. In 1970 he served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Argentina.
Michael met his bride to be, Karen Taylor, while they were both students at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. They were married on August 26, 1977 and later moved to Virginia so Mike could attend Georgetown University School of Dentistry in nearby Washington, D.C.
After graduating from dental school in 1984, Michael and Karen moved to Mesa, Arizona where Michael opened and managed his own family dental practice in Mesa for 33 years. He was a true craftsman when it came to dental work. He lived life to the fullest, always placing the love he had for his wife and family above all else. Michael had a contagious sense of humor, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
Michael is survived by his wife, Karen, daughters, Kari (Justin) Cook, Kristin (Tim) Reed, Kenna Smith (Cody Miner), Kelli Smith, son, Matthew Smith, and seven grandchildren.
Visitation for family and friends wishing to pay their respects may visit Falconer Funeral Home, 251 W Juniper Ave. Gilbert, Arizona on Friday October 12th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 13th, 2018, at 11:00 am in the LDS chapel of the Gilbert-Greenfield Stake Center, 777 E. Elliot Rd, Gilbert, Arizona. Condolences may be shared with the family at falconerfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Smith
Sponsored by Falconer Funeral Home - Gilbert.
4 Entries
October 10, 2020
Death is never easy to cope with but,God’s words can give us comfort. Isaiah 57:18
Mrs. Gibson
October 29, 2018
May the God of all comfort sustain your family during the days ahead.-Psalms 119:76
Carlson
October 13, 2018
My friendship with Michael goes back to our time together at BYU as we were applying to dental schools and continued after I moved to Mesa to find that he was here several years before me. I remember inviting him & Karen to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen with Carrie & me. He sounded SO EXCITED to go. When we sat down and he had a chance to look at the menu, he was so happy to see that there were entrees other than pizza and he then told me he hates pizza. I was shocked that he seemed so excited to go even though he didn't like the food. He got fish and loved it. He was always happy and jovial and fun to visit with. Even when he had tough health issues, he deflected the conversation away from himself to help have a lighter conversation. I will miss his laugh and his happy eyes.
Bernald Porter
October 10, 2018
May the many memories he helped create find root in your heart and bring special recollection to your mind as you both mourn and celebrate his wonderful life... and may God bless you as you deal with his passing.
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Falconer Funeral Home - Gilbert251 West Juniper Avenue, Gilbert, AZ 85233
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