Nicholas Dean Smith

Nicholas Dean Smith, 28, of Fort Collins passed away Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at Poudre Valley Hospital after a brief illness. Nick was born on August 9, 1981, at PVH in Fort Collins, Colorado, to Duane and Laura Smith. He attended Heritage Christian Academy and graduated in 2000 as Valedictorian of his class. Nick majored in Mechanical Engineering at CSU and graduated Magna Cum Laud in December 2004. On June 10, 2006, Nick married Heather Lilley at First Baptist Church in Sheridan, Wyoming. He attended Resurrection Fellowship Church with his family and then First Baptist Church with his wife, Heather. Nick's relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ was an important part of his life. He arose early every morning to spend time reading his Bible and strove to be a spiritual leader to those around him. The evidence of Nick's kindness and faith was easily seen in the outpouring of love and support that his family received during his illness. Nick was enthusiastic about all of life, and enjoyed playing soccer, hockey, as well as hunting and fishing. He was employed at Pure Energy in Boulder for the past two years as a Mechanical Design Engineer. Nick was passionate about his work and dreamed of running his own engineering firm. He received the news that he passed the Professional Engineer’s Exam recently. Nick delighted in caring for his wife, Heather, in every way he could. His joy in marriage was felt on a daily basis and created a home that was filled with love and happiness. His strong, tender heart extended to his parents and sisters, with whom he always loved to laugh, tease and spend time. He honored his mother and father, and was never bashful of showing affection to his parents in public. Nick was thrilled to become a father in October and looked forward to all the things that he hoped to teach his little son. Nick will be dearly missed by his loving family, wife, Heather and unborn son, William Dean “Liam”; parents, Duane and Laura Smith; and sisters, Gretchen (Justin) Topel, Kathryn Smith, and Natalie Smith. He is also survived by in-laws, Bill and JoAnn Lilley, sister-in-law, Stephanie Lilley (Micah) Howe; and grandparents, Bessie Smith, Wilbur Garrels, and Lela Hadrava. Nick’s family wishes to thank the Doctors and Nurses in ICU at PVH for their outstanding care and genuine attentiveness, and also to family and friends for all their thoughts and prayers. A Funeral Service will be held 1:00 pm Saturday, June 26th at First Baptist Church in Fort Collins, followed by a private family burial at Grandview Cemetery. A fund has been set up for Nick’s unborn son, Liam. Contributions may be made at www.prayingfornicksmith.com, the Nick Smith Memorial Fund at any Chase Bank or mailed to Allnutt Funeral Home, 650 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526.