Mayor Smith served in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1971 during the Vietnam War and was awarded many medals.

He served on the City of Sparks city council beginning in 2006 and was sworn in as the City's 25th Mayor in 2018.

Mayor Smith was many things to many people; husband, friend, mentor, boss, councilman, mayor, pops, uncle, brother, son, and father. Please know whatever he was to you, today's service honored his life entirely. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, there were stringent limitations on the number of guests allowed to honor Mayor Smith. Our family profoundly regrets these unfortunate circumstances, as we would have loved to share our father with you in death as we have in life. 

We want to thank everyone for the beautiful outpouring of love and support for our family. Dad stands with us all as we move forward together to achieve his dream and life project of completing the Nevada Veterans Memorial.