John Walter Smith passed away peacefully on December 13th at the age of 74. He was born in the Leadville hospital on April 19th 1950 but he and his family lived in Climax, Colorado throughout his adolescence until they moved to Leadville.
John Started working at the Climax Mine when he was 18 years old. He really enjoyed his years at Climax working underground especially when he got to work with dynamite.
John also enjoyed the great outdoors spending time adventuring to high lakes and four wheeling. In his later years, John spent his days tending to the animals and property at the Ass Ranch just outside Leadville.
He is proceeded in death by his parents and 2 brothers. He leaves behind wife of 52 years Mary Smith, his daughter Melissa McCain, son-in-law Zeb McCain, and grandson Logan McCain. In lieu of services, he asked his family to spread his ashes at one of the high mountain lakes he loved so much.
