Michael Bradley Smith

Smith, Michael Bradley
48, passed away on February 8, 2009. Brad is a native of Mesa and a graduate of Mountain View High School (1979). In 1989, he earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Political Science from Arizona State University. Brad lived and worked in California for several years as an account executive in the temporary staffing industry. Most recently, Brad worked as a professional in the field of killer bee removal and served as a substitute teacher in the Mesa Public School System. No one enjoyed spending a day, or week or two, at the beach more than Brad. He enjoyed the company and companionship of family and friends, especially when such camaraderie was combined with meals at/from El Charro, homemade Smith tacos, and/or the watching ASU football games, the Phoenix Suns, or the Arizona Cardinals. Brad also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping excursions with his brothers and father in the Arizona deserts and mountains. The family is comforted by many photographs illustrating Brad, always smiling, with either a shotgun or a fishing rod in hand, and not infrequently, with evidence of success. For Brad, the simple pleasures of life, whose expressions were found in and through relationships with friends and family, were the profound pleasures of life. In relationships, Brad found meaningfulness, utility, and joy. Brad is survived by: parents, Charles Wermuth and Carol Calhoun Wermuth; brothers, Kenneth Patrick (Minyon) Smith, Kevin Paul (Candi) Smith, and Gregory Wayne (Mary) Smith; step-brothers and sisters, David Wermuth, Daniel (Lisa) Wermuth, Wendy (William) Udall, Holly (CK) Sato, and Heather Wermuth; nephews, Kenneth Calhoun (Kelly) Smith, Connor Calhoun Smith, Elder Christopher Alexander Smith, and Elder Benjamin Paul Smith; nieces, Brittany Anne Smith, Hanah Jane Smith, Emmeline Smith, Hillary Smith (Jonathan) Darner, Catherine Leigh Smith, and Claire McNally Smith; loving aunts and uncles Wayne Elgin (Kay) Calhoun and Norman Douglas (Carol) Calhoun; and several honorary Smith Brothers of the Citrus Heights Ward. Brad was a devoted son, caring brother, and extraordinary uncle. He is remembered by family and friends as having a compassionate, generous "Hunsaker" heart that was accommodating, accepting, and comforting. Brad possessed a charismatic personality, an understated genuineness, and sense of humor that was more than just a little mischievous. Brad and fun were inseparable. These and other qualities appealed to both people and to discerning dogs. It should be noted, that to be a friend of Brad's, having either a long or a distinguished pedigree, whether for people or for dogs, was not a prerequisite. His family expresses its appreciation to all of Brad's friends for all the tender mercies bestowed upon us at this time and thanks you for your friendship to Brad. Family members would also like to express their appreciation to their Father in Heaven for the blessing Brad has been in this life and for the comfort we take in the belief we are separated from him but for a short time. Until then, as Brad would often conclude his telephone calls, "adios for now".