Derek Justin Smith

April 1, 2026

Son, even though you didn’t make it to the end of our story, we will always have the corner folded down on your page because it was one of our favorites. - Dad and Mom

With heavy hearts and the world becoming quieter and dimmer, we mourn the traumatic and heartbreaking loss of our beloved son, Derek, aka “Smitty,” age 52, in Horace on February 6, 2026. 

He was born in Tribune on February 17, 1973, arriving five weeks early at 5 lbs. 9 oz. His parents, Randall and Connie Smith, were in the process of moving into the home they had just purchased so things were a little wild and crazy for a bit. His first week on earth he ended up in Children’s Hospital in Denver with Pyloric Stenosis at 4 lbs. 13 ozs. Surgery was scheduled for the next morning. Throughout the night his Dad and Mom asked for their little one to be healed. The next morning, the doctor found nothing. There was no surgery, but he had to weigh 5 lbs. before he could go home.

Derek attended kindergarten in Tribune and then his family moved to Texas and Arizona. He graduated in 1991 in Phoenix, Ariz. He then attended and graduated from Al Collins Graphic Design School in Tempe, Ariz. One of his drawings was chosen to be on the brochure the school gave to prospective students. He was always very creative. One of his assignments was to do a drawing with only dots on the page to create the picture. He drew a 50’s garage with a jalopy out front. It took hours, but it was gorgeous!

His passing has left a huge hole in our hearts and those that knew and loved him. Derek had a kind heart and a generous spirit always advocating for the underdog. He was always willing to help in any way he could, was a loyal friend, had a great work ethic, and could fix almost anything. He brought out special qualities in people, always being very encouraging and helping his friends through hard times. One young man, when he lost his girlfriend, said Derek pulled him though a very difficult time that he didn’t think anyone else could have. Derek impacted many people in his short time with us. Thank you for being our son, our joy, our light!

Derek had the gift of a salesman. When he was around 10 years old, the Church Group had a fundraiser selling pens and watches. Derek was the salesman and Shane was his sidekick at 6 years old. Those boys sold every pen and watch they were given and had lots of fun doing it. They were both so cute; who could say no to those sweet faces?

In his younger years in Phoenix, he did a lot of roller blading, scaring his Momma as he jumped over picnic tables and other big scary things. He really enjoyed riding his motorcycle with his brother, Shane. He also had an affinity for snakes. His Momma learned many years later that he kept a snake in his closet! It’s a good thing she never saw it or knew about it! Typical boy!

Derek had a salvage/scrapping business. He was great at bartering. He really enjoyed helping his cousin, Brandon Murdock. Derek would acquire the jobs locally and Brandon would crush and haul the items off. I know those were some of Derek’s fondest memories with trips to Denver to unload the items.

A true adventurer, he and Tamra, his partner of 10 years, loved places like Bishop Castle in Colorado, going to Mom and Pop restaurants, and traveling in the camper or van. They were always on the hunt for something fun and different to do. He loved running the dirt roads in his van or pickup with the dogs, Lulu and Molly by his side. At night the dogs and the cats, Beghara and Panthera, would be right there with him. He loved his animals and they loved him.

He enjoyed his fire pit and taking pictures of sunrises and sunsets. We’re so thankful he took plenty of pictures and videos. He was the family photographer and videographer. We will cherish those forever seeing him and listening to his voice.

Derek never met a stranger and could engage in just about any subject you wanted to talk about. If you asked him a question and he didn’t know the answer, which was rare, he would Sgt. Major Google it! He was a big fan of Youtube videos on how to do things.

He loved going to the local airport visiting with Arlie Aeschliman, Sr. and his son, Arlie, Jr. and Beth, too. Derek’s Grandfather, Dearld Smith, was a pilot for many years and he loved hearing the stories about him. He always looked forward to flying with him.

Derek was great with kids and the older generation. He enjoyed going up to the Long Term Care to see his friends. He loved to listen to their stories and he really was interested and listened to what they had to say. He had what he called his “Fire Team”, that at the time, lived across the street. Francis, Eduar and Josue would come over and help Derek with projects. Those boys worked hard and he paid them well for their efforts. I know they learned a lot from Smitty and loved spending time with him! He had a way of making people feel heard.

His laughter will echo in our hearts forever as will his humor and wit. He was a good cook and loved doing it. He was always coming up with something different to fix. He got that skill from his Dad!

Derek enlisted in the Marines when he was 28 years old after 9/11. He did his tour and then went into the Army for an additional tour. He deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. He was honorably discharged from both. Our sweet boy suffered from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and all that goes with it. He fought the good fight for many years. A very generous and kind soul, he is no longer fighting an uphill battle daily.

As an avid adventurer, may he rest in peace on his next great journey with his brother, Shane. The loss is immeasurable but so is the love he left behind. He was a bright star in our lives. His love for his family and friends was huge. He had your back and you could count on him to be there for you. As we face the silence you’ve left behind, we cling to the love you gave us. You will forever be missed every day of our lives.

Derek is survived by his parents, Randall and Connie Smith, Tribune; partner, Tamra Chris; son, Keawe Smith; uncle Robert Woods, Glendale, Ariz.;, aunt Jana Kearns (Mike), Mesa, Ariz.;  aunt Marla Smith Graham (Gary), Tampa, Flo.; and uncle Hunt Klein (Vickie), Grand Junction, Colo.

Derek was preceded in death by his brother, Shane Smith; grandparents Robert and Virginia Woods and Dearld and Wanda Smith, and aunt Marilyn Smith Klein.

We appreciate your love and support during this incredibly difficult time,  losing both our sons in less than a year. Rest in peace, our sweet boys. You are so loved and so missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the Presbyterian Church at 821 Second Street in Tribune, Kansas at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Derek Smith Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 433, Tribune, Kansas 67879.