Kenneth Lee Smith

KENNETH LEE SMITH - 90, Returned to his Heavenly Father on Sept. 26, 2023, at Lifecare Center in Farmington, NM. Kenneth was born March 13, 1933, in Hershey, Nebraska. He was the 5th child of 6, born to George W. and Gladys (Kariger) Smith, and is the last surviving member of his siblings. He was Nebraska born and raised, with a belief in Christ, hard work, and respect for country. These beliefs never changed!

Upon graduation from Nebraska of Agriculture High School in Curtis, Nebraska, in 1951, Kenneth left Nebraska to travel and work around the West. He developed many skills, working mostly as a Surveyor and a Core Driller. After moving several times and finally settling in Farmington, NM and then Kirtland, NM, he worked as a Custodian at Farmington HS and Ruth N. Bond School for several years. He raised his children in Kirtland and was a member of the community for 30 years. After marrying, Shirley Hitchell, he moved to Crystal Lake, Colorado before living most of his remaining years in Aztec, NM.

Kenneth was a devoted, Christian, family man, who loved his spouse, parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His greatest passion was following the Nebraska Cornhusker football team (GO BIG RED) during their good times and bad times. He loved to fish, travel all over the West, care for his pet dogs and his birds, and tend his yard and roses. He never met a person he could not have a conversation with, as his family patiently waited in the car. He made friends easily and never talked bad about others.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of twenty-five years, Shirley (Davis) Hitchell Smith, of Aztec, daughter, Mary Smith McDonald, of Aztec, son, Kenny G. (Wanda Lambson) Smith of Kirtland, sister-in-law, Judi Smith of Thornton, Colorado, step-children: Jeff (Annette) Hitchell, Durango, Jerry (Mary Carol) Hitchell of Fayetteville, Georgia, Tom (Renee Hitchell) McClelland of Fort Collins, CO.

Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Eric Kutac (Nicole Irwin) Farmington, Crystal Kutac, Aztec, NM, Kenneth J. (Kasey McQueen) Smith, VA, Jonathan (Maricela Birt) Smith, AZ, Robert (Makayla Morgan) Smith, UT, Kimberly Smith, VA, and Amanda McDonald (Nick) Vendetti, Farmington, NM, twelve great-grandchildren: Lucas, Emery, Hayley, Aiden, Jayden, Ryan, Hayden, Penelope, Alayna, Veda, Cloie, and Nickolas, and numerous nephews, nieces, and friends.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Georgia (Floyd) Facka, Dorothy (Raymond) Holloman, Katherine (Dan) Lombard, brothers: Robert Smith and Gerald Smith, step-son Gary Schneidmiller, son-in-law Charles McDonald.

Viewing will be Private. Services will be held at Farmington Funeral Home, 2111 W. Apache St., Farmington, NM, at 11:00 am, Nov. 3, 2023. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery, 1606 N. Dustin Ave. Farmington, NM, immediately following.