Kenneth "Kenny" Allen Smith's Obituary
It is with a heavy hearts that we regret to announce the passing of Kenny Smith, who died of a heart attack on Saturday, June 6th at the hospital. He is survived by his wife Maria Smith, his children Sydney (Josh), Zane (Zoe), Merari, and Nachely (Nathan), and his grandchildren Rowena, Kingston, Gavin and Gabriel. We are having a memorial service on Sunday, June 14th at 4pm at Premier Funeral Home: 67 E 8000 S, Midvale.
Kenny was born on September 17, 1966 to Lynne and Maylene Smith. He was the baby of the family and the 3rd son born in a row with a face full of freckles. Kenny's mom always joked that he was supposed to be a girl, and she meant it!
Kenny loved to build and was a skilled carpenter at a young age. When Kenny was a youngster, he and some friends built an underground "apartment" or fort in a vacant field, and wired it with electricity. His parents didn't let on that they knew about the apartment, but they probably did.
In high school Kenny worked at "Freeway Signs" and made the frames for the signs you see on the side of the freeway and buses. He was always known for being a joker, and laughed at himself and his own jokes. Kenny didn't take academics very seriously, but he excelled in Art class, Auto Mechanics and Wood Shop which benefited all he did the rest of his life.
Kenny graduated high school in 1985 and married his high school girlfriend, Jeanette Horne in 1991. Ken and Jeanette had two amazing children together during thier 12 year marriage (Sydney and Zane), whom Ken adored and was so proud of. Kenny's artistic talents transferred to his two children, who are also very artistic, talented and funny.
Kenny could take a car apart bit by bit, and would lay the parts meticulously on the garage floor in exact order of use, then put the car back together again to work better than it did before. Kenny never wasted a piece of wood, a wire, a nut or bolt, or anything that could be used for a future project. If you saw Kenny's strong hands you would know he was a carpenter and a mechanic, among other things. In his 20's, Kenny worked in California for several years as a marble/granite mason and was proud that he did work in Gucci's house in Huntington Beach. He became a skilled and artistic mason and had his own marble business in Utah. Kenny was an amazing artist that carried into all the work he did.
Kenny enjoyed calligraphy, painting, pencil, geometric and architectural drawing, but he also liked to paint scary faces on baby dolls and barbie/ken dolls. Kenny often had several painted dolls as a collection in the garage and would mimick them when he showed them off and make himself laugh.
Kenny was married to Maria in 2015, who also helped Kenny care for his parents in thier final years.
Kenny loved his animals, named them silly names like Dave, Steve, gagoog, Baby boy, Sofia and Tikis, and his animals truly loved him. Kenny was a grateful person and easy to please in every way and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew snd loved him.
From Maria Smith:
Whoever had the fortune to know my husband Kenny, knows that he was always a great friend, always willing to help others. He loved animals and animals loved him. He was a very smart man, I would often, get surprised by it. To him, there were no impossibles, he liked to fix things. At home there was nothing that I would ask him to better up, that he wouldn't do. He was a human being with many virtues. He was a great son, he loved his parents. And took care of them until their passing. He took care of my daughters as if they were his own, and it was something I was always grateful for, and I will be forever. He was a grandfather to my grandkids, he was happy, funny. My daughter and my grandkids loved him very much and are suffering from his passing.
His absence leaves a huge emptiness, I don't know how I will continue without him, I have loved him all these years and will continue to love him for the rest of it. I thank God for the time he was by my side, something that gives calm to my soul, is that before he parted, I told him I love him, and he said, I love you too.
In your memory, my beloved husband.
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