In Loving Memory of Kelly D. Smith

On Monday, March 17, 2025, Kelly went to the hospital because he was having chest pains and having a hard time breathing. After an overnight stay in the hospital, the doctors diagnosed him with Influenza A and that progressed into Pneumonia which extended his stay at the hospital. By Wednesday, they had put him on a ventilator and he was heavily sedated. He remained on the ventilator at Hancock Regional Hospital and was later transferred to Community North Heart & Vascular Hospital. After a multitude of tests on his organs, the doctors didn't have the news we were hoping for. They told us that Kelly's lungs had deteriorated for being on the ventilator for so long. Despite the best efforts from the medical teams, the doctors did everything they could to keep him as comfortable as possible.

After lengthy discussions upon family members, it was decided that the ventilator that Kelly was on needed to be removed so that he could pass peacefully. Kelly passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

As most of you know, Kelly was an avid sports fan and loved watching football, basketball and NASCAR. He loved to take long rides on his Harley motorcycle whenever he had the opportunity. What he treasured the most was spending time with family and friends. Kelly was also an organ donor. He donated some of his organs for medical research and his liver and kidneys to save living recipients.

The suddenness of this tragedy has left our family not only grieving but also facing unexpected financial challenges.

We are reaching out to our community, friends, and anyone else who is willing to donate to assist with his final expenses. Any contribution, no matter the size, will be a huge difference for Kelly's family during this incredibly difficult time. If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser with others would mean the world to us.

We would like to say Thank you to all the people who have sent all of the kind messages, prayers and support during this difficult time.

Kelly Smith - 2/25/66 - 4/9/25

May Kelly rest peacefully in Heaven.

May God bless you and reward your generosity.

Ashley Shoultz

(Kelly's Niece)