Michael A. Smith

Michael Smith was a soft-spoken man with a big heart. He was a gifted and talented man who used his abilities to make a wonderful life for his family. Most importantly, Michael was a loving husband and father, devoted son and brother, and loyal friend, willing to help his loved ones in any way he could.

In the year 1968, America was in the midst of a radical cultural change motivated by war, political unrest and the Civil Rights Movement. With the new affordability of a television, families across the nation bore “technicolor” witness to these changes. But for Alonzo and Janice (Smith) Smith of Kalamazoo, Michigan, it was family itself that changed in this year with the birth of their son, Michael, on March 10, 1968. He was the youngest of their four children: Richard, Michelle, Sherry and Michael. Michael had a pretty typical childhood of the time. Like most boys, he loved sports, and was a Little League pitcher and bowled on a league. He was also a big fan of racing, particularly NASCAR, and he had been to the Kalamazoo and Galesburg Speedways to watch races, and even made it to the Michigan International Speedway once.

Michael attended the Portage Public Schools through much of high school, but later transferred to Mattawan High School. It was here he met the love of his life, Dawn. Their Science teather sat them together hoping to open Mike up and quiet Dawn. Michael loved everything about Dawn, and even told his friends that she was the kind of girl he wanted to marry one day. And he did just that – Michael and Dawn were happily married in the Oakwood United Methodist Church on February 18, 1989. They enjoyed a romantic honeymoon in the Smokey Mountains and then stopped by to visit his Grandma in Kentucky.

Michael and Dawn made their home together in an apartment in Kalamazoo. After 4 years there, they bought their first home and soon filled it with the joy and laughter of two wonderful children: Amanda Mae born in 1996, and Adam Michael born on Michael and Dawn's 9th year anniversary in 1998. To support his growing family, Michael worked at Wellsaw Corp. as a saw builder and in assembly for 14 years, before taking a job in service and parts at D & R Sports Center for 2 years. Michael took great pride in his work and had a tremendous work ethic; in fact, someone said he worked like a “waterbug” - once his mind was set, he worked like crazy until it was done. He loved to work with computers, especially if he could take them apart and figure out how they ran. Once he figured it out though, the fun was gone and he lost interest in the project. He’d then move on to something new, and put his all into it until he was burned out – like fishing last year!

Although Michael worked hard to provide for his family, there was nothing more important to him than his wife and children. He bragged about his family often, and made sure they knew how much they were loved. Michael and Dawn were pretty much opposites – she was outgoing and a doer, while he was quiet and the thinker. Yet, they worked so beautifully together as a team; their love for each other was evident in everything they did. As a father, Michael was just as devoted – he was attentive and a big supporter at his kids’ sporting events, and he put great emphasis on their education. Time together as a family was always important and they enjoyed many family vacations, including summers in South Haven, trips to Cedar Point, and travels all over supporting their daughter’s cheerleading team.

Michael was always active doing something - whether it was working on computers, taking a ride in his two-person dune buggy or snowmobiling in the wintertime. As a staunch Republican, Michael always had an opinion, though his humility never let it get overbearing. When it came to his quieter moments, Michael enjoyed watching TV, some of his favorite channels included National Geographic, Fox News,TLC and Speed TV. He and his kids liked watching some of the reality shows too, like Survivor, American Idol and Hell’s Kitchen. One thing that upheld Michael through the day was his endless cup of coffee with lots of cream. It didn’t matter what time of day it was, Michael loved his coffee – and still slept like a baby at night. His only other favorite food was his mom’s cottage cheese salad “the pink stuff.” Although Michael was a very humble man, he was a bit vain when it came to his appearance (though he didn’t want people to know it). He always had a comb in his pocket for some last minute primping, and a few years ago, he had some well deserved dental work done to improve his beautiful smile. Nonetheless, it was Michael’s incredibly kind heart that made him the man people were proud to know.

Sadly, Michael was diagnosed with lung cancer, which was in very advanced stages, just a day before his birthday. He never let on to anyone how much pain he was in, but kept a smile on his face and hope in his heart. Michael wanted nothing more than his family to be happy, and to know that he loved them dearly. He will be lovingly remembered for his generous spirit, his strength of mind, and his unconditional love for his family.

Michael A. Smith, age 41, died on Monday, April 13, 2009, in Kalamazoo, MI. Learn more about Mike, view his Life Story film, and share in some refreshments with his family and friends on Thursday, April 16, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (375-2900), where a service will be held on Friday, April 17, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Genesee Prairie Cemetery.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Alonzo Smith, maternal grandparents: Stella Mae and J.C. Smith, and paternal grandparents: Mary and Harrison Smith. Surviving is his wife of 20 years, Dawn Smith; 2 children: Amanda Mae and Adam Michael; his mother, Janice and Michael Quada; 3 siblings: Richard (Joyce) Smith, Michelle (Paul) Martin and Sherry (Chuck) Kennedy; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Please visit Mike’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with his family or sign his online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to his children’s college education fund c/o Dawn Smith or the West Michigan Cancer Society.