Wes Alden Smith's Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Wes Alden Smith on September 1, 2023. Wes was a devoted son, adored brother, and cherished friend, who left this world far too soon, less than a month after his twenty-first birthday on August 8th.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in the Germantown area, Wes was the youngest of three boys. He began his education at St. George’s Independent School, graduating in 2021. At St. George’s, he swiftly rose as a leader and role model among his peers, who elected him Student Body President, Prefect of Athletics, and Mr. St. George’s during his senior year. Wes’s impact on the St. George’s community was positive and far-reaching. He demonstrated exceptional talent, not only as a leader and scholar but also as a remarkable athlete. Wes was a force to be reckoned with on the football field, lacrosse field, and basketball court. Wes’s dedication, strong work ethic, love for his teammates, and passion for athletics were evident in every sport he played, resulting in well-deserved accolades including Team Captain, Lacrosse Legacy Award, and First Team All-State and Regional Defensive Player of the Year for football. His exemplary performance not only earned him these honors but also garnered the respect and admiration of his teammates, coaches, and even his opponents.
Wes’s name is fitting, reminding him always of the Wesleyan tradition and Christian faith he shared with his family. His faith was filled with joy, which he actively cultivated in high school by participating in YoungLife, a space that nurtured his spiritual growth and provided an enduring community of fellow believers. His faith commitment instilled deep and abiding values within Wes, demonstrated daily in the heartfelt ways he cared for and encouraged good friends, acquaintances, and strangers alike. Wes’s welcoming and inclusive personality was integral to his discipleship. In keeping with the gospel message, there was always a place at Wes’s table for one more. Those who knew Wes find strength in the words from his favorite verse, Psalm 18:2: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” This verse held a special place in his heart and was a source of comfort to him.
Upon graduating from high school, Wes embarked on a new chapter at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas after accepting a Founders’ Scholarship, where he pursued a double major in finance and marketing. Wes excelled in his studies and was accepted into the prestigious Transaction and Investment Professionals (TIP) Board. His passion for sports led him to join the TCU Horned Frogs football team as a walk-on during his freshman year. In addition to his scholarly endeavors, Wes was involved in Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) and actively contributed to his fraternity, Kappa Sigma, by leading a weekly Bible study and serving as Philanthropy Chair. He found great joy in fostering community among his fellow brothers and other countless students on campus. As a testament to Wes’s two years at TCU, more than 3000 students, faculty, and staff gathered to commemorate him at a candlelight vigil, where they shared stories of the ways Wes had deepened their faith, encouraged them in moments of difficulty, and made them laugh.
Wes’s vibrant spirit extended far beyond his athletic and academic pursuits. To his family and friends, he had an extraordinary zeal for life, characterized by his contagious joy of dancing, his voracious appetite, his enthusiasm for scary movies, his passion for playing games, and his talent for sharing and telling stories that would leave everyone laughing. Family gatherings and friend get-togethers alike were complete with Wes’s lively presence. He brought every gathering to life with his exuberance, energy, and fun.
Wes’s legacy can be found in his unwavering commitment to the well-being of those around him. It will continue to be seen and felt in the numerous lives he touched. Just recently, Wes had begun dedicating his time to coaching football for middle school players at All Saints’ Episcopal School in Fort Worth, a role he wholeheartedly embraced, and in typical Wes fashion, with great gusto. His enthusiasm for the sport was matched only by his genuine affection for the younger boys he was mentoring. His coaching journey illuminated the core of his character, a desire to encourage and positively impact lives.
Wes’s greatest legacy, however, extends beyond the playing field. It resides in the values he held dear: faith, family, and friendship. His message to all who knew him remains clear and profound—invest in people. Wes had a unique ability to make everyone feel seen, valued, and deeply cherished, evident by his many genuine best friends. Wes’s legacy lives on through the values he instilled, reminding us all to invest in the people around us with love, support, fun, and compassion. The true measure of a life well-lived is not in its number of years but in the impact made on others, the encouragement we give, the laughter we share, and the love we provide. Wes’s was truly a remarkable, well-lived life.
In this time of grief, we are grateful for Wes as a loving son, a devoted brother and friend, a gifted athlete, a captivating story-teller, an infectious personality who lit up any room, and a man of faith. He leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives, but his spirit will forever reside in the memories and hearts of those who had the immense privilege of loving him. His family and friends take comfort in the promise that they will one day be reunited with Wes.
Wes is lovingly remembered by his mother, Dorree Jane Smith; father, Philip Smith; brothers, Dawson and Graham Smith; paternal grandmother, Dixie Cook Smith; and aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of dear friends who will cherish his memory forever. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Dorris and Carlos Smith; uncle, Jimmy Smith; and paternal grandfather, Clifton Smith.
Wes’s passing is an immeasurable loss, yet his legacy will serve as a guiding light, inspiring us to invest in people and hold fast to our faith.
Celebrating Wes Smith’s life (all services are open to the public):
Visitation at Harvest Church on Friday, September 15, from 5:00-7:30 p.m.
Graveside service at Memorial Park Cemetery on Saturday, September 16, at 9:30 a.m. (Burial location: Follow orange arrows to the Highlands area and Grotto)
Celebration of Life Service at Christ Church (formally Christ Methodist) on Saturday, September 16, at 11:30 a.m. with reception directly following
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the following organizations or schools close to Wes’s heart: YoungLife Collierville; Texas Christian University; and St. George's Independent School.
https://giving.younglife.org/WesSmithMemorial
https://advancement.tcu.edu/new/makeagift/
Instructions for TCU Donation:
Donors should select "other" as the designation and then type "Wes Smith Endowed Memorial Fund" when asked to indicate where they wish the gift to go.
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