note from a cousin

I was sent this from Jeffs cousin Danielle. " My cousin passed away this morning. I’ve been bawling off and on all day. I am crying for the things he didn’t get to do yet and for the time that we will miss with him. I look forward to being reunited with him someday because I believe Families can be together forever. We grew up together in Michigan. So many of my childhood memories are of us cousins hanging out together. When we were little Jeff and I thought we were going to grow up and get married.
Jeff is a total sweetheart. He always made me feel special.
He was always taking care of people. Once I was talking to him about some health issue I had (something minor but I was probably exaggerating it) and how I should probably go to the doctor but we didn’t have the money (my hubbie and I were poor newlyweds- well we are still poor but definitely better off than at the beginning :)). He was so concerned and offered to send me the money. I reassured him that I was exaggerating but I was really touched by his concern and his willingness to help out.
When my grandpa first met Kaden and Kaden babbled at him, my grandpa told me stories of Jeff when he was that age babbling and telling jokes. My grandpa’s eyes lit up as he remembered him. He was so impressed with Jeff’s jokes and conversations that had no words (because he couldn’t talk yet) but tons of content. It was so cool to get a glimpse of how my grandpa felt about his first grandchild, Jeff, and his first great-grandchild, Kaden.
Jeff and his sister Kathy taught me about popular music. My parents are big fans of music but they kept it to Barbara Streisand, Oldies, and Mousercize around us kids at that time. I remember listening to the Beastie Boys Paul Revere with Jeff and Kathy. i think I may have heard Jeff’s version before I heard the Beastie Boys’ version. I also remember them having my dad listen to Midnight Oil and he liked it. I still love the Beastie Boys because of them.
Jeff was the cool older cousin who got to drive. He would chase us around my grandparent’s property on a motorcycle. We would scream and run but we knew he wouldn’t ever actually catch us or run over us. He also hooked up a trailer to the mower?/ tractor? and took us on rides. Well, he did that at least once I think. There’s a picture and I remember riding in the trailer. Later when I came back to visit he drove me around. At one point he even lost a hubcap on a tight corner. :) He loved to drive fast. He loved cars too. I remember him telling me all about his Porsche. I didn’t understand most of it because I am ignorant but I loved his enthusiasm and was excited for him.
After I moved away our communication grew more sporadic but whenever I talked to Jeff again he made me feel special. I will always look up to him and respect him. I appreciate that he made a special point of coming out to my wedding. I am thankful that I got to see him in June at our cousin Chad’s wedding and that he got to meet both of my boys. He watched my 2 year old son Kaden for me outside at Chad’s Wedding reception so that I could get something to eat. He came to my parent’s house with his girlfriend to see us without all of the crowds (even though he was only there a few days) and he got the biggest smiles from my three month old Asher. Asher is a smart boy and knows a good man when he sees one. I hope he knew how special he was to me. He will always be a part of me and who I am because of who he was".

A note from Dale Byers

In Memory of David J. Smith

This memorial blog was created in the memory of our loved one and friend, David J. Smith who was born on December 30, 1976 and passed away on August 4, 2008 at the age of 31. Jeff will be in our thoughts and our condolences and prayers go out to his family.

Please use this space to share your thoughts and memories.

Click here to view photos of Jeff and find information on how to make a donation in his memory.