(October 16, 1962 – January 5, 2015)
John Eldon Smith II, 52, of St George, Utah, passed away January 5, 2015, at home. He was born October 16, 1962, in Flint, Michigan, to John E. Smith and Turetha Mae Elliott. Although, he was never married, he always said that he was a lucky man that he found two loves of his life: Rebecca McMillan with whom he had two children, Nicole and Kyle, and his current life partner, Jana Peterson, with whom he spent the last five years.
He spent his early life in Michigan and travelled around the county in his late teens until he landed in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he started his trade as a carpet and floor installer. Later, he developed an interest in motorcycles and enjoyed off road riding and motocross racing. He also loved working on motorcycles and four wheelers and started a part time repair business until illness prevented him from working.
He was always determined especially when told he couldn’t do something. It got him through tough times when he broke most of his bones in his body due to a motorcycle accident and was told he would never walk again, he showed them and not only walked, but continued his profession as floor installer.
However, this last illness hit him hard and he had a hard time dealing with all the losses that it brought. He was tired of fighting and was ready to rest. I will always love you John, I hope you are happy and free of pain.
He is survived by his life partner, Jana Peterson. He is preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Matt Smith.
John chose to be cremated.
In lieu of flowers, letters may be sent to Jana Peterson, 45 West 200 South, St. George, Utah, 84770.
Friends and family are invited to sign John’s guest book at the Spilsbury Mortuary website. Arrangements have been made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St George, Utah, telephone 435-673-2454.
John, you were like an uncle to me and my siblings, a good friend to my mom and to many of the people I grew up with. When I heard you had passed away, it triggered so many memories of times hanging out with John Smith! The first one, that is like a movie in my head, was when we’d gone to the lake just after or maybe just before the 4th of July 1997 I had just made it out to the boulder everyone was standing on and diving off into the water, there at Quail Lake. It took me forever to muster up the courage to take a tube over there to be with all you people lol. And when I finally got there you helped me up, but I should have known better 🙂 because as soon as you helped me UP you pushed me in!! I was so pist off and scared as I came flying up from the deep my mouth shout out ” John you @$$ hole, I’m gonna kick your @$$!” And you jumped off that boulder like you were a merman quicker then that like a Jack rabbits you were back on shore laughing and choking on water you inhailed while swimming! You made that day memorable John you were always such a brat! I’ll miss you uncle John!