Arin Justyn Smith

Arin Justyn Smith
On July 12th, Arin Justyn Smith met the end of their life's journey. The steps were never easy, but they were always focused in a direction of making things better for others, though sadly never for themselves.
Born April 26th, 1990, Arin, who some may know as Justin, was curious from the beginning. They grew up taking whatever they could find into their room to dismantle and understand it better. Sometimes, they even set it on fire just to see what would happen.
Arin was a human of deep emotions; their greatest strength and greatest weakness. They were driven by a need to heal the world, and burdened by their inability to do so. They loved pineapple pizza. They loved animals, particularly their sweet black dog, Jet. They always dreamed of having a ferret because of how soft they were. They loved books, especially fantasy and the works of Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. Mat Cauthon from Wheel of Time was their favorite character; Arin related to Mat's fear of becoming a worse human, and his deep love for people close to them. Arin loved reading so much they would even walk down the street reading, somehow dodging all light poles and cross-traffic pedestrians or ignoring the entire city of Washington D.C.
Arin always thought of others. Whenever a crisis arose, they immediately sought a way to help. From donating toilet paper during the pandemic, to buying food or clothes for strangers they met who were in need, to tipping so much at restaurants the servers would ask at least three times if the amount was correct, and right down to being an organ donor. They chose to give with everything they had, even finding ways to keep giving beyond their last breath.
Customers, who stopped in at Market Express needing gas or their car dried after a wash, were greeted with a smile and diligent work, despite how uncomfortable smiling often made Arin feel. This desire to help even led Arin to pursue EMT certification and travel with friends in an effort to plant a church.
Arin hated having their picture taken, cats, mushrooms and bell peppers, penguins, and for several years, the rubbery texture of cheese. They were passionate about cleaning up the environment, and taking care of impoverished and marginalized people as they empathized with being an outcast or looked down upon. Arin never wanted anyone to feel alone, and honored courage and strength wherever they saw it. They loved children, even though kids made them uncomfortable.
They are survived by their father and mother, Kevin and Stella, Brothers Jonathan (Melissa), David (Erin), and Joshua, and their nephews Daniel and Weston. Arin particularly loved their nephews, teaching them chess whenever they shared a room.
Now Arin is playing with Jet, greeted by their dear friends and family who passed before them, and free of all their burdens of anxiety and pain, seeing the face of Jesus.
Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to The Trevor Project in their name, and take a moment to do something kind for both someone else and yourself today in memory of Arin.
Celebration of Life Friday, July 18, 2025, 11:00 a.m., at the Price Chapel where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service. Arrangements are entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends and family may share memories of Arin online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.
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