Steven Paul Smith

Steven was born in Seattle, WA to William and Mary (Harper) Smith. Growing up, Steven travelled the country and the world with his military family. Joining the Navy in 1976, he went to firefighter school and spent his sea duty on Midway Island and then later trained as an aviation electrician. After achieving the rank of E3, Steven finished his tour with the Navy and settled in San Diego, CA where he met and married his wife Joy. They raised their family there until 2004 when he graduated bible college and moved his family to Arizona.

Professionally, Steven enjoyed working with anything that had a wire. His career as an electrician developed into a second career in the electronics industry working with everything from commercial audio/video to his claim to fame as a sound guy for the IATSE rubbing elbows with countless popular artists. But the work he was most passionate about was that as a pastor.

As a faithful child of Christ, Steven could always be found ministering to the homeless, preaching in the prisons, and spreading the Gospel everywhere he went. He often put himself at personal risk and consistently went out of his way to care and provide for many foster children, adopted children and anyone who needed help over the years. His life truly reflected his favorite bible verses found in the passage of Matthew 25:35-40, when Jesus speaks of caring for the least of these.

Preceded in death by his parents William and Mary Smith and brother William “Billy” Smith. Steven is survived by his wife of 35 years, Joy (Thompson) Smith, daughters, Amy (Smith) Wyllie, Fiona, Kimberly, Hannah, and Cheyenne along with his son Jordan. Steven is also survived by his brothers Larry Smith (Bonnie) of Nashville, TN, Michael Smith (Holly) of Newport News, VA and David Smith (Pam) of Fate, TX and sisters, Cheryl Wyke (Buzz) of Cummings, GA, Donna Henry of Henderson, KY and Susan Harris of Pace, FL. Along with countless nephews and nieces.

Family, friends and those touched by Steven's life are invited to celebrate his life at Desert Springs Church in Chandler, AZ on Saturday June 16th at 10:00 am followed by a graveside memorial at Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery in Chandler, AZ.