Kenneth "Todd" Smith

Kenneth "Todd" Smith, of Republic, MO, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on September 19, 2024, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Todd was 56 years old. He was born in Alamogordo, NM, on September 17, 1968, to Clay and Marsha (Fick) Smith.
The family moved to Republic, MO in 1977, when Todd was beginning third grade. He graduated from Republic High School with the class of 1987. Todd's love for sports started at a very young age, playing many positions over the years. He wore the #19 jersey proudly during his years as a Tiger at RHS, playing the position of quarterback in his junior year and as a fullback his senior year. Todd had a passion for coaching as well, having coached youth football while still in high school. Todd graduated from MSU (formerly SMS), and then went on to receive his master's in education from Lindenwood University in 2011.
Todd began his teaching and coaching career in the Marionville school district then moved on to the Republic school district and finishing out his career in the Nixa school district. Todd coached his last football game in 2023 for the Nixa Eagles and retired from teaching and coaching in May 2024. He not only loved high school football, but he was also a huge Dallas Cowboys fan since childhood. Todd was also very active in his children's sports, coaching them, watching them play and compete, or cheering them on from the stands.
On May 25, 2001, he married the love of his life Jodi, and they shared 23 wonderful years together and four amazing kids: Lexi, Jake, Case and Delaney. Todd loved life and all the adventures it brought. He was a very humble man, and would give you the shirt off his back. He was loving, caring, kind, funny, goofy and could quote a line from Seinfeld at a moment's notice. He loved classic rock and could name any band and song as soon as the music started. Todd has been described as "Awesome", a mentor, someone everyone looked up to and wanted to "Be like Todd". He was very smart and had an amazing vocabulary, which he put to great use in the many letters and cards he gave to his family. His vast knowledge of football was uncanny, he could tell you specific plays and players from a game years ago, and never miss a detail. Todd loved to hunt, but fishing was his passion from countless nearby rivers and lakes, to the Gulf of Mexico deep-sea fishing on countless family vacations.
Todd is preceded in death by his father Clay Smith, maternal grandparents and paternal grandfather, and a very dear friend and mentor Dan Penner.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jodi, children Lexi Birlew, Jake Smith, Case Birlew and Delaney Smith, grandchildren Lincoln Essick and Breckon Smith, his mother Marsha Smith, sister Tammy (Daron) Watkins and their children Riley (Kaylee) Watkins and Reese Watkins, and his grandmother Flora Smith as well as other extended family and countless friends.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Todd's name to The American Cancer Society (P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741) or at www.cancer.org/donate or to a charity of your choosing. A Memorial Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, October 05, 2024, from 2 – 5p.m. at Meadors Funeral Home (314 N Main Ave, Republic, MO. 65738)