Kerby Smith

September 7th, 1961 - January 13th, 2025

Memorial

Mementos

Kerby Smith, Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather

Superior, MT – September 7, 1961 - January 13, 2025

Kerby Smith, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and pillar of the Mineral County community, passed away unexpectedly on January 13, 2025 at the age of 63. He was born in Missoula to Bud and Bertha Smith of Superior.

Kerby grew up in Superior graduating from high school in 1980 then attending Vo Tech in Missoula to be a diesel mechanic. He started working for Hanson’s Oil & Garage at age 14 working his way up to general manager of Cenex and Energy Partners before eventually owning his own business, Mineral Energy until the time of his death. Kerby dedicated his life to serving his community ensuring that homes and businesses across the county stayed warm and comfortable.

In 1982, Kerby married Joyce Weaver not long out of high school. Together they had a baby boy, Kevin. A couple years later, Kamio came along. The marriage ended but their friendship did not. After many years of being single, Kerby met Barbara Shear. They married in 2007 and enjoyed 18 years together and shared a love for their horses, dogs & cats.

Kerby was deeply involved in his community. He was a member of the Superior Lions Club and loved participating in the many parades. He was a generous and compassionate man who always lent a helping hand to those in need. He always had a good story to tell.

Kerby had a deep love for the Montana outdoors and its animals. He was almost always found with his dog riding shotgun. He was an avid hiker, spending countless hours exploring the breathtaking landscapes of the Rockies throughout his life. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a profound respect for nature and a love for the simple pleasures of life.

Kerby is survived by his wife, Barbara Smith (Alberton); his children, Kevin Smith (Superior) and Kamio Smith (Superior); his grandchildren, Owen Belcher (Sandpoint, ID) and Wyatt Belcher (Superior); brother, Kelly Smith (Diana) (Superior) ; twin sister, Jeneen Hanson (Craig) (Newman Lake, WA) and numerous nieces and nephews, former wife, Joyce Schaefer (Devin) and many, many friends and co-workers that he loved dearly.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Kerby will be held at Superior High School Gymnasium on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Potluck in the multipurpose room to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Superior Lions Club P.O. Box 867 Superior, MT, 59872.

Kerby will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy of kindness, generosity, and love for his community will forever remain.

Tributes

Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Kerby’s life with a heartfelt message.

Jennifer (Kittelson) Artley

My cousin, Kerby, was only a week or two old when I met him for the first time in 1961 when his parents came to Colville to pick up his big brother, Kelly, who had been keeping all of us entertained and on our toes with his “activities,” while Bertha and Bud awaited the twins' arrival. As a nine year old I was delighted to have not one, but two living dolls to admire and hold. My sister, Julie, and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting them when they were toddlers. Kerby was shy and sweet, while Jeneen was a total extrovert (like Kelly). All three of our Smith cousins grew up to be wonderful people and Kerby apparently overcame his shyness to become a great husband, father, businessman and member of the Superior community, not to mention a loving and helpful son. I was fortunate enough to get to see Kerby on a number of occasions in recent years and like so many, am deeply saddened by his passing.

Published January 26th, 2025

Debra Brockett

Kirby, was one of the kindest, loving people I knew, always with a smile and cheerful way about him. He will be missed. God gained an angel. 💕

Published January 18th, 2025

Loran white

While I don’t live in Superior anymore or get the chance to visit as often as I would like. I will always think of Superior as home. Kerby on the other hand was one of the lucky ones to make it reality. He didn’t just live it he became a big part of this town. Every time I seen Kerby I asked if he was mayor yet? (I mean who wouldn’t vote for Kerby) So here’s to the best honorary mayor Superior ever had. Everyone will miss you buddy!

Published January 18th, 2025

Monica Ridgway & Mark Krug

Our first winter in Petty Creek, our chimney got wiped out by an ice dam. In January. Right on the heels of getting 18” of snow within a 24 hour period. We heat with our woodstove, and suddenly it wasn’t working because it had no air flow, the chimney being kinked. Mark immediately called Kerby, knowing we’d need to use the furnace to keep us warm until we could get someone out to fix the chimney. It wasn’t two days (I think only one), and Kerby had put the chains on his propane truck and came up our half-mile-plus driveway to make sure our tank was topped off. This is who Kerby was. He took care of his neighbors. And we all loved him (would have loved him without the heroics too!). Kerby made the world a better place by being in it. He is missed sorely.

Published January 18th, 2025