Joshua Charles Smith passed away surrounded by family on June 13, 2016 in Murray, Utah. He was born March 17, 1970, the first child of Kenneth Russell and Karen Gail Borst Smith. At the age of two he developed Type I Diabetes, which in the last twenty years led to several debilitating side effects, including kidney failure and loss of sight. He rarely complained about these problems. A recent fall and head injury were finally too much. He was the recipient of a pancreas transplant and three donor kidneys and is now himself a donor to the Utah Lions Eye Bank.
He likes St. Patrick's Day, Halloween (and all things ghoulish), Betty Boop, Ford Mustangs and ZZ Top. He has also made a valiant effort to support the Coca Cola Corporation single-handedly by his consumption. He graduated from Brighton High School and attended Salt Lake Community College. He enjoyed his work as a grocery store produce man.
He is survived by parents, Robert and Karen Simonson; siblings, Chad Smith (LaDonna Harris), Jed Smith, Zach Smith, Becky Jensen (Ryan); niece, McKayla Smith; nephew, Alex Boyle; grandparents, Pat and Duane Simonson; sister-in-law, Allison Smith; a large extended family; friends and the Facebook buddies who enlarged the circle of his life.
He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Poppie Smith.
The family thanks the Intermountain Transplant Center, Nephrology Associates, Doctors Margaret Lunt, Richard Lambert, Kirk Winward, LeGrand Belnap and the Shock Trauma ICU at the Intermountain Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 11:00 AM in the Brighton Point Ward Chapel, 3455 East 7800 South Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Friends and family may call from 9:30-10:30 prior to the service. Interment will be at the Murray City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please love your family and support your favorite charity.
