Kirk Ronald Smith

Kirk Ronald Smith passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on September 9, 2026, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, following a courageous, brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born on September 19, 1963, at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City to Ronald Calvert and Jerry Lee (Rainey) Smith, Kirk grew up in the Salt Lake Valley. He attended Kearns, Granger, and Taylorsville High Schools—he liked to joke that he was so smart all three schools wanted him. He eventually left school early to enter the workforce, building a lifelong career as a skilled HVAC technician.

Kirk began his career with Rocky Mountain, where he forged many enduring friendships. In 1997, he established his own business, Mountain River Mechanical. Building this company was one of his proudest accomplishments, and he was honored to work side-by-side with his son for decades. Over the years, Kirk’s craftsmanship touched countless homes and projects across the Teton Valley, Idaho Falls, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Outside of work, Kirk lived life to the fullest. An avid golfer and angler, he was a beloved member of the Jefferson Hills Golf Course in Rigby, Idaho, and treasured memories of taking family and friends fishing along the Salt River in Star Valley, Wyoming. A talented home chef, Kirk loved showing off his latest culinary creations. In recent years, he shared countless adventures and international travels—including trips to Cabo—with his life partner, Keri Treasure.

Kirk was previously married to Paula (Wilkin) McBride, with whom he raised two children, and later spent time living in Rigby with Jackie (Ivie) Cobbley.

Kirk is survived by his life partner, Keri Treasure, and their beloved pup, Ralphie; his son, Travis (Emily) Smith; his daughter, Danielle Smith; six grandchildren, Hadlie Hoskins-Smith, Canyon Smith, Wyatt Gifford, Emma Gifford, Elliannah Gifford, and Lucas Duenes; his siblings, Lori Lee Smith Marquez, Kyle Smith, and Millie Elaine Beezley; as well as many extended family members and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Jerry Lee Smith, and his grandparents, Willard and Sarah Ellen Rainey, and Violet Alice Moore Walker.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute for the exceptional care, compassion, and dignity they extended to Kirk during his final days. In honoring Kirk’s memory, his family holds strong hope that ongoing medical research will one day lead to an early detection method and a definitive cure for pancreatic cancer.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Kirk’s 63rd birthday, Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Jefferson Hills Golf Course in Rigby, Idaho. All who knew and loved Kirk are invited to come share memories and celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in support of pancreatic cancer research at http://give.huntsmancancer.org.