Hartford City, IN

Curtis William Smith, 48, passed from this life peacefully on Monday, October 22, 2018.

Curt was born in Blackford County December 30, 1969, the third child of Joseph M. and Janet E. Douglas Smith. He was raised in the Catholic Church, attending Reidman Memorial School and graduating from Blackford High School in 1988.

After graduation he was employed by Hartford Concrete Products and later was a contractor/innovator for Ball Corp. In 1995, he received a job offer, moving his family to the Orlando, Florida area where he pursued his innovative skills in the canning industry, holding several patents, including one for electrostatically applying wax to sheet metal in a compact portable machine used in the canning industry. His success and passion as an entrepreneur in this business allowed Curt to travel throughout the world, making friends and business acquaintances internationally. His passion for designing waxers and modifications gained him brand names like BumbleBee Tuna with his modifications to the canning industry.

Concerned for the environment, he contributed to green technology in the industry and contributed to innovations of less waste in the canning industry

Golfing, especially with his son, Zack, was one of his most loved sports (in addition to baseball). He also loved attending sporting events. Curt loved to shop, especially for clothing and also had a passion for deep sea fishing. He coached his son's baseball team from Longwood, Florida, winning the Babe Ruth State Championship three times, going on to the World Series of the league.

Generosity was a finest part of Curt's character. Like his mother, he always put others first. His love of cooking also brought recognition to the best biscuits and gravy anywhere and he would brag about his biscuits and gravy.

He leaves behind his wife and high school sweetheart, Kimberley D. (Rhodes) Smith, married June 7, 1995, his son, Zackarrie, Muncie; his father, Joseph, Hartford City; sister, Lora, Virginia; two brothers, Chris (Natalie), Brownsburg and Brett, Indianapolis; father and mother-in-law, Rik and Linda Rhodes, Hartford City; brother-in-law, Rikki (Desra) Rhodes, Montpelier as well as four nephews.

His mother preceded him into eternal rest on March 28 2014.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2018 in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 209 S. Spring St., Hartford City with Father Dave Newton and Father Robert Williams as celebrants. Burial follows at Hartford City Cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday, October 29 from 3-9 p.m. at Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City with a Christian Wake Service beginning at 3 p.m.

Additional visitation will be Tuesday, October 30 from 10-10:45 a.m. at the funeral home, prior to the procession to the church.

Memorials may be to the church, the Blackford Community Foundation, where a memorial scholarship at Blackford High School for baseball and golf are to be established in his name or to the Brain Behavior Research Foundation at www.bbrfoundation.org.

Visit WatersFuneralHomes.com to leave a condolence or sign the guestbook.