March 27, 1977 - March 1, 2025
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 & Mom
With heavy hearts we mourn the sudden passing of our beloved son, Shane, age 47, who left our world on March 1, 2025 in Tribune, KS. He grew up in Texas and Arizona graduating from Sunnyslope High School in 1995.
His passing has left a hole in our hearts and the lives of those who knew and loved him. The world seems dimmer without him in it. To know Shane was to love him. He was a bright star in our lives, cherished for his infectious laughter, his humorous one-line zingers and his kind heart, always a loyal friend, very thoughtful and he had an amazing work ethic. He lit up a room when he entered.
He had a passion for BMX, Motorcycles, Hot Cars and Powerlifting. He once performed his BMX tricks at the Arizona State Fair with his friend, Brian. Shane and his friends spent all of their spare time riding their bikes all over Phoenix and building an area to ride and jump at 19th Avenue and Union Hills in Phoenix. They also raced on the weekends at Black Mountain BMX in Phoenix. One particular day he and his friend, Larry, rode 23 miles on their BMX bikes.
His mechanical skills enabled him to maintain and tune his cars and motorcycles. Shane loved his 1978 Macho TA #109 and his 2005 GTO. His cars and motorcycles were in pristine condition in and out and under the hood. His GTO was pretty souped up, gas prices were going up and he was driving 60 miles a day round trip to work. He decided a motorcycle would be the best answer so in 2021 he purchased a new Harley Iron 883. It had five miles on it as he drove it off the lot and know those previous miles were because he test drove it a couple of times. He loved that black beauty and made it his own with all kinds of tweaks and accessories and a few stickers. On the left side on the oil cover is a sticker that says, “Please Use The Other Door.” On the forks he has stickers that say War Machine and on the gas tank is God of War. His helmet has spikes on top of it. His love for riding his Harley is known by all. His Harley’s One-Note Song was heard all over town. Oh, how we all miss hearing that throaty sound!
Shane was 8 pounds, 8-3/4 ounces at birth .... perhaps foretelling of his Powerlifting future. He attended many powerlifting meets in Arizona and California doing very well. He continues to hold records in Arizona. Shane got his Personal Trainer Certificate in Phoenix and was a personal trainer. He was very disciplined with his workouts. Always trying to achieve more, getting better and better.
Last year he started his car detailing business. He took such pride in doing the very best job he could do and he did! The cars looked better than when they came off the showroom floor. He worked very hard to get everything just right. Some mornings were downright cold to be out there but there he was with his vacuum, brushes to get in the crevices, rags, etc. He was a stickler for the details.
Shane impacted many people in his short time with us. One of which was a friend in Arizona who mentioned that he spoke to Shane every day for the past 8+ yrs. When his death was put on Facebook his Facebook page and Messenger blew up and was filled with condolences and people telling how he had impacted their lives and how he was going to be missed. Phone calls poured in. He was one in a million. The love for him and his memories will live on in those of us who knew him.
Shane is survived by his parents, Randall & Connie Smith, brother Derek Smith and partner Tamra Chris of Tribune, Uncle Robert Woods (Cheryl), Phoenix, Arizona; Aunt Jana Kearns (Mike), Mesa, Arizona; Aunt Marla Graham (Gary), Tampa, Florida; Uncle Hunt Klein (Vicki), Grand Junction, Colorado.
Shane was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert & Virginia Woods, Dearld and Wanda Smith and Aunt Marilyn Klein.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at the Presbyterian Church at 821 Second Street in Tribune, KS at 10:30 a.m.
Memorial donations may be given to the Shane Smith Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 433, Tribune, KS 67879.
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