Colin C. Smith

Colin C Smith, age 37, of Waukee, Iowa passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024, as the result of an accident while scuba diving in Grand Cayman, BWI. Colin was the son of Jim and Cindy Smith of West Des Moines. A private family service will be held. Visitation with the family will take place from 4-7 p.m. at McLaren's Chapel in West Des Moines on Saturday, March 9th.

Colin graduated from Valley High School in 2005 where he was active in concert, jazz, and marching band as a drummer. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Iowa in 2009. While attending Iowa, Colin was a member of the Hawkeye Marching Bands' Drumline. He also interned in the Washington, D.C., office of US Senator Charles Grassley, and once in President George Bush White House. After graduating from the University of Virginia Law School in 2012, Colin returned to Des Moines to begin his legal career at the Nyemaster Goode Law Firm. From there, he went on to become Legal Counsel for both Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Governor Kim Reynolds. At the time of his death, Colin was a partner in the Sullivan and Ward Law Firm.

Colin was a wonderful father to his pride and joy, daughter Madelyn Marie Smith (Maddie). Though divorced, he and his former wife, Lauren Brant, provided loving homes for Maddie. Always one to pursue new places, things, and adventures, he had big plans to travel the world with Maddie as she got older. Colin had plans to take Maddie on a safari to Tanzania this summer. Colin had just returned from a two-week trip to the Antarctic in November and was planning on seeing gorillas in Africa in 2025. All of those plans are on hold now as Colin starts his final journey home.

Colin had just arrived in Grand Cayman on February 4, 2024, for a week of vacation and diving with his parents. He had been diving in Grand Cayman for twenty years and was excited at the chance to dive again. Grand Cayman has held a special place in the hearts of his family since their first visit there in 1993. It gives us comfort knowing that Colin died doing something he dearly loved in a place he loved.

Colin is survived by his parents, Jim and Cindy Smith; his beloved daughter, Maddie; and his brother, Jordan Smith and wife Brianna; his uncles, Mark Smith (Artis Reis) and John Smith (Gail Ward); and aunt, Margee Stamper (Bill), and their families. Colin also leaves behind his cat and constant companion, Max. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, to whom he was very close, Dr. C.E. and Margaret Tindle, and Clemens and Ramona Smith.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in memory of Colin.

Colin's beautiful smile, sharp mind, quick wit, and soft spot in his heart will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

If I should die, think only this of me

That there is some corner of a foreign sea

That has forever a part of me