Robert was born on February 20, 1962 in Grand Junction, Colorado, the son of Fred David Smith, Jr., and Alice Lee (Garner) Smith. When he was a child, his family bought a house and relocated to Evergreen, Colorado. He spent his childhood playing in the hills of Evergreen and eating wild strawberries on “Strawberry Hill” near his childhood home. He attended Bergen Elementary School and Evergreen High School. He was always a good student and extremely bright. He was cherished by those who knew him, and even childhood friends were most often friends for life.
As an adult, he relocated back to Grand Junction where he worked at the Grand Junction Regional Center as a caregiver, and then later moved to Phoenix, Arizona to be closer to his mother and two sisters. His entire life, Robert found his happiness in music. He played in a band, the “Black Rubber Band”, off and on throughout his life, and enjoyed a variety of music, especially comical music. He loved anything that would bring a smile to the faces of others. He was always kind-hearted and caring, ensuring that others around him felt loved. He loved nature and thrived when camping, fishing, and listening to music with others around a campfire.
He met his spouse, “Arkie”, while living in Phoenix in 2015. Along with Arkie came Patches, who became Robert’s shadow, following him everywhere. Arkie jokingly called Patches his “Robert GPS”, because if he located Patches, he would also find Robert. Robert and Arkie lived together in Phoenix for seven years. During the Summer of 2022 Robert sold his home in Arizona and he and his spouse purchased a home in Orchard Mesa to be closer to extended family once again. Since his return to Grand Junction, he had spent a great deal of time reconnecting with loved ones including his father, siblings, and nieces and nephews. Anyone who met Robert was left with a lasting impression and a better person than before knowing Robert. He was larger than life and his presence always filled the room.
Surviving family members who were blessed and honored to share Robert’s life include his husband and best friend, Stephen “Arkie” Jones; his siblings, Lori Ann Schultz, Cheri Lee Loveday, and Steven Elliott Smith; nieces and nephews Ashley (Schultz) Stout, Taylor Schultz, Angela (Schultz) Burgett, Hope Loveday, Daniel Loveday, Felicia Smith, Nathan Smith, Jay Palmer, Garrett Smith, and Emily Smith; and great-nieces and -nephews Zander, Zayden, Remington, Lillian, Kaylee, Adriana, Charma, Zayleigh, Kaysen, Taylor, Raylon, Logan, Lucas, Leo, and Aiden. He was also survived by his loyal dog and companion, Patches. He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice (died 5/20/09), and father, “David” (died 6/24/22 – exactly six months prior to Robert’s death).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinMortuary.com for the Smith family.
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