Michael Duane Smith

Michael D. Smith, 67, of Columbia, MO passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, October 3, 2022.  A memorial service will be held at 10am on Tuesday, October 11 at Woodcrest Chapel in Columbia.

Mike was born on February 4, 1955, in Scottsbluff, NE.  He spent a good part of his childhood living on his aunt and uncle’s farm in NW Arkansas with his mom and sister. The family later returned to Scottsbluff, where Mike attended Scottsbluff High School. After high school, he attended the University of Nebraska for a time.  He married his wife Brenda on June 21, 1986.

The couple made their home in Scottsbluff until 1994, when they and their three kids relocated to Columbia, MO and opened River Mist Spas.  Mike was passionate about serving his customers for 23 years and he was famous for ability to chat with anyone and everyone about anything from the weather to their family.  As a bonus, the business offered him the chance to exercise the mechanical abilities that he’d honed as a young man working on motorcycles and Ford Mustangs.

In 2002, the family bought a home with a small piece of land on the edge of town and affectionately dubbed it “Gibbs,” named after the original farm the land sits on. Mike took great pride in this special place for his family, so he was often found on the mower, tractor or clearing the tree line.

Mike loved nothing more than his family. They made him incredibly happy and proud. He most often showed his love through acts of service like fixing things or helping with projects. He loved spending time making memories with his family around a card table, bonfire or one of the countless Sunday Dinners at Gibbs, where the family has a ritual of gathering and sharing a loud and famously delicious meal.

Left to treasure his memories are his wife Brenda; his children Tyler (Jill) Smith of Johnstown, CO, Meggie (Jake) Hess of Columbia, MO, Tanner (Lexi) Smith of Columbia, MO; grandchildren Cooper Smith, Elli Smith, Levi Hess, Asher Hess, and Hazel Hess; mother Hazel Brown of Rogers, AR; sister Sharon Smith of Rogers, AR.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Central Missouri Honor Flight.  

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