In Loving Memory

Steven Wayne Smithers

5/27/1977 — 3/21/2020

Partnered-Hearts

A Life Remembered

Obituary

Steven W. Smithers, 42 years old, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 21, 2020 while visiting Glendale, Arizona. His residence was in Dripping Springs, Texas. He was born on May 27, 1977 in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Wayne and Linda (Immenschuh) Smithers.

Steve graduated from Seaman High School (Topeka, Kansas) in 1995 and from Kansas State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He continued his education with receiving a Master’s Degree in Occupational Safety and Health/Environmental Management from Columbia Southern University in May 2010.

Since April 2017, Steve worked for Quest Diagnostics as a Manager of Corporate Environment, Health and Safety. Previous employment included various positions in Global Safety and Management with Praxair Electronics/Inc. from 2001-2017. His profession required a lot of travel that allowed him to work and see the world including Thailand, India, Brazil, China and several other foreign countries and all over the United States.

Steve was a friend and a brother to many people. His travels allowed him to meet and form many special friendships. He enjoyed vacationing in Mexico where he spent time on the beach, scuba diving and conversing with the local islanders. He was fun loving, enjoyed life, very generous, and truly loved by everyone. He will be missed by many.

He is survived by his Dad and Stepmother, Wayne and Agnes Smithers of Ozawkie, Kansas; his sister, Sandra (Smithers) Owen and her two sons, Scott and Travis of Anthony, Kansas. Additional family also includes a half-brother Ken (Teri) Smithers of Belton, Missouri, two step-sisters, Katie (Bill) Metzger of Topeka, Kansas and Kim Herring (Nick) of Meriden, Kansas and a step-brother Chad (Jenny) Brading of Meriden, Kansas and other extended family members. Steve did get married in 2015 but later divorced.

Steve was preceded in death by his Mom, Linda Smithers.

Gilbert Memorial Park Funeral Home of Gilbert, Arizona was in charge of the cremation. Donor Network of Arizona was the recipient of his donated organs. The Celebration of Steve’s Life will occur at a later date that will be posted on his Facebook page.

Memorials may be made to “Hounds for Heroes” in honor of Steve and his support for the military and love for dogs, especially his own dog Zeus. Donations can be made online at TheDogAlliance.org/Donate or be mailed to The Dog Alliance, 1321 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park, TX 78613.

Messages of Love

From family and friends

Nick Milillo

Steve my friend, you are missed dearly. Thank you for making life so much better. So many adventures! I can only hope that you are having even better ones now.

Tara Collins

Steve, you will be so so missed. I don’t even have words. I was so blessed to have you in my life for these ten years, as boyfriend/girlfriend, fiancées, and then husband and wife. We feel in love so freely and deeply and lived a wonderful life. Even through the unfortunate divorce we maintained a close friendship and love (something you always used to brag about lol “I’m hanging with my ex wife :)” I am so thrilled I got so many weeks with you even after you moved to Texas. My heart will always have a piece missing but it is also full of all the amazing memories and the warmth of your amazing heart. I will always love you.

Justin Michael

Steven will forever be thought fondly of by me and all the people whose lives he touched here on Isla Mujeres. Spent this past Christmas and New Years with me, left and returned and we watch his favorite team win the Super Bowl this past February. You will be missed and cherished my dearest freind…

Roger & Juanita Wilson

We were devastated to hear about Steve’s sudden passing. His father Wayne and I are good buddies and wehave known Steve and sister Sandra for probably 25 years. Wayne and I stayed with Steve on occasion on golf trips to the Phoenix area. Our hearts go out to Wayne and the family at this difficult time. May God bless all.

Rick Gump

The few times I had the opportunity to be around Steve he was very funny Respectful kind and a good hearted caring Man!! What a Tragedy he was Extremely Intelligent yet had a heart ❤️ of gold towards friends Dogs ? and our beloved Military!! I’m saddened for all of us that will never get to see that Contagious smile ? till we meet again in heaven!! God Bless you Son along with all your friends and family ?????❤️❤️????

Otis A Shelton

Phyllis and I send our heartfelt condolences to Steve’s family at difficult time. Steve was an excellent HSE professional in his work at Praxair. Our prayers are with you. Otis & Phyllis Shelton

Jerry Lassen

You will be missed Steve you are and always will be a great friend in my book. The crew and I enjoyed all those typical weekends and Sunday fun days with you. Rest easy my friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Teresa Reese

Steve, you will be greatly missed. There will never be a normal Saturday night again. Thank you for all your love to my granddaughters, my kids, and most of all my husband and I. You taught me so many things. This past week I’ve watched some of our Marco polos and giggled. You excepted me for who I am and protected me when I broke my ankle. You were there for us all as I went through college and then we compared notes. Thank you for being you and thank you for your unconditional love for our friendship. May you Rest In Peace.

Bryan Mason

I was lucky enough to know Steve as a professional and as a friend. We’ll miss his sense of humor and love of life, he made an impact on a lot of people. Rest well and in peace my friend, your journey here is over, but a bigger more interesting one has just begun. Drinking a good beer in your memory.

Sherry Jesse

I too had the privilege of meeting and working with Steve. He had the gift of making you immediately feel comfortable as if he was an old friend. He will be missed. I am sad there will be no more stories to tell but glad for those we were given.

Mark Nestle

Steve and I worked together in the Safety group in Praxair. He was a joy to work with, always so energetic, dedicated to helping others my reducing risks to make them safer. A consummate professional. He made a lasting improvement wherever he worked. May his family be comforted to know that Steve is at peace and not be forgotten.

Carey Waltz

I had the pleasure to work with Steve for many years and truly appreciated his passion for safety and love for life. RIP my friend!

Keith Pace

Steve was a terrific person with a great ability to connect with people in any role and any culture where he visited. Many people around the globe benefited from his knowledge of safety related subjects. No one will ever be able to count the number of people who returned safely home due to his passion for ensuring the safety and well being of all he touched. RIP my friend.

Jeanne shipman(Welch)

I remember well the summer Steve and his friend Donny helped us build our house. They worked in the heat and everyone usually took a “siesta” in the afternoon. But Steve and Donny went to Steve’s house, right next door, and did not rest but sometimes got into some kind of mischief with his dad. It was a fun summer. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.

Connie Anderson

My prayers, thoughts and love a being sent to all the family and friends. Cannot fathom this loss. Love and caring.

Gina Lebrato

I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Steve a couple of years ago from when he lived in Indianapolis. He was such a fun loving, adventurous, and generous guy who never knew a stranger. I was fortunate to vacation with him in Belize and Isla. You will be missed more than you’ll ever know. Rest In Peace my dear friend

Tiffany

I love you Steve! My kids loved you too. This is heartbreaking. You were such a great person

Carla Karagiannis

I had the great pleasure of working with Steve. So very sad. He was such a nice, smart and calm man. He will be greatly missed. May he Rest In Peace and his memory be eternal. ?

William brooks

Love you Stevo, I’m going to miss you more than you’ll ever know, my brother and my best friend. Thank you for always loving me and bringing joy to my life and family’s lives. Until we meet again, I’m still going to share the” tree iron” story and the “pot roast” story. Along with countless good times and positive changes you put in people’s lives. Love you Stevo, say hi to Chopper and Matt for me and may all you be in peace????❤️❤️

Ron & Lorraine Herring

You are all in our thoughts and prayers and hearts at this sad time.

Candice and Josh

We can’t say enough what an incredibly genuine and kind human being Steven was. Josh an I truly loved and looked forward to each time we got to spend with Steven. His family are in our thoughts and prayers. He will truly be missed.

Gerri brooks

Steve you were a beautiful kind loving young man. We will miss you so much. You will be forever in our hearts. We love you❤

Gerri Brooks

Steve you were a beautiful, kind loving young man, you will forever be in our hearts. We love you❤

Ernie Brooks

Steve was a great friend of our family and always came by when he was in town he would go to the lake and anything that was going on he will be greatly missed by our family

Marsha

I met Steve many years ago when Dave and Sharon met. He was so funny. He went with my kids to many places . Sorry for your loss.

Neil Whitehead

Met you in Munich last year..such a fun loving guy..rest easy my friend…thought to family and friends….from Edinburgh

❦

Provided by

Gilbert Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery