Christopher Benjamin Smith

Christopher Smith 1948-2023

Christopher Benjamin Smith, age 74, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 20, 2023 after battling end stage renal disease. He fought hard until the very end and passed away peacefully at his home in Georgetown, Texas surrounded by his beloved wife and two daughters.

Chris was born on November 28, 1948 in Kirksville, Missouri to Benjamin and Marie (Martin) Smith. The oldest of three brothers, Chris took great pride in the family farm where he grew up. After graduating from Kirksville High School, he earned a BS in Physics from Northeast Missouri State (now Truman State University). He continued his education at University of Missouri at Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology), where he earned a BS in Electrical Engineering.

He began his engineering career in the Chicago area where he met his future wife Nancy. They were married May 2, 1981 in Carlock, Illinois.

Chris worked for 34 years as an electrical engineer in suburban Chicago, Santa Clara, CA, and Cedar Rapids, IA. He finished his career in San Jose, CA. After retirement, he and Nancy moved to Georgetown, Texas where they attended Crestview Baptist Church.

Chris was an adventurer at heart and had many hobbies and passions throughout his life including woodworking, hang gliding, stained glass, motorcycle riding, playing the guitar, and photography. It always felt like he could do it all - whether it was tuning up the car, remodeling the house, or building beautiful furniture and décor.

He loved projects and would always go above and beyond with the most intricate details. When his girls were little, he built them a two-story Victorian playhouse he designed, complete with a bay window seat, balcony, stained glass, and even a trap door. He also passed his love for engineering and mathematics down to his grandchildren, always creating or designing the next experiment or project when they spent time together. Chris enjoyed teaching in children's ministry programs and participated in men's Bible studies at the churches he attended. In his later years, he felt called to write about his faith and what he believed he was meant to share with his community and the world.

Chris will be missed and his heart for others will continue to shine through long after his earthly farewell. Chris is survived by his wife, Nancy (Small), his daughters Michaele (Matt) Lien of Boise, ID and Jessica (Clayton) Ellis of Plano, TX, grandchildren Hudson and Jase Lien, and Oliver and Emmaline Ellis, brothers Frank (Lucille) Smith of Kirksville, MO and Murl (Rita) Smith of Wister, OK, sister-in-law Susan Chism (Scott) of Elgin, IL, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Benjamin Smith and his mother Marie (Martin) Smith.

A memorial service will be held for Chris on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 10:30 am at Davis-Playle-Hudson- Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville, Missouri. Interment will follow at Forest Llewellyn Cemetery in Kirksville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Chris' honor be sent to the Slavic Gospel Association.

Funeral Arrangements are in the care of Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home.