Austin Giles Smith

Austin Giles Smith passed away December 10, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona. He courageously fought leukemia for two years. He maintained dignity and confidence throughout his battle. He never thought of himself as a victim, and did not show fear in the face of his difficult journey. Instead Austin made sure that his family was taken care of, and would always remind them not to worry. Born in Simi Valley, California, to Alfriend and Nicole Smith, Austin arrived on September 25, 2001.

A well rounded boy with a great sense of humor, he loved teasing his younger sister, Ava, and older brother, Andre, in good fun. His siblings were his best friends. He delighted in playing Just Dance with them. He was caring and protective of them. Family time was his favorite time. Austin would make breakfast for everyone. He liked being the chef of the family. Spending time fishing with his dad every week brought a smile to his face. If he missed a week he had withdrawals! He truly was his dad’s best friend.

A compassionate, honorable soul, Austin was a shining example to all who knew him. A person of principle, and true leadership, he was awarded the citizenship award in Gilbert in 2009. He also received an award from the optimist club for his positive outlook. He had a simple perspective on life, and never asked for much. He tried to make the world a better place by reusing and recycling. Austin also believed honesty was the best policy, and that forgiveness was key. For such a young spirit, he had a great understanding of life. Austin was not only loving, but he was lovable. His smile could light up the room, and instantly warm your heart. To know him was to love him. Getting to know Austin was easy because he had a people person personality.

Enjoyment came for Austin in the form his activities. Many of these were outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing, motocross, and most importantly archery. He played soccer, and baseball, but his favorite sport by far was archery. Swimming brought joy to Austin; he loved any time he got to spend in the water. Spending time outdoors always brought a smile to Austin’s face. He had a survival instinct that was encouraged by his favorite TV programs; Man vs. Wild, and Dual Survivor. Bear Giles was his hero. He was funny to a fault; he could always be heard making silly noises that made everyone laugh. Climbing walls and trees was a way that Austin worked to overcome his fear of heights. He was also creative; he even invented a hunting and fishing game. He could make guns out of paper, and loved shooting his bow and rifle. His knack for gardening only proved that he belonged outdoors. He not only excelled at his outdoor activities, he was an “A” student who valued math and science. His favorite teacher Ms. Williams imparted more than just academic lessons; she helped Austin with life lessons. A savvy shopper, Craigslist, EBay, Big 5, and Bass Pro Shops were Austin’s favorite stores. He loved learning martial arts, he especially loved Jet Li. Little kids always seemed to warm up to Austin, probably because he was an all-around good guy.

Austin beyond a doubt touched the hearts of countless people, and will be forever missed. He genuinely cared and loved all of those he knew. He will be a guardian angel watching from his dream cabin in the sky. He is survived by his parents, Alfriend and Nicole, siblings Andre Marcus Allen, and Ava Nyree, grandparents Ruth and Ken Crawford, Allen and Margaret Long, Madeline and Terry Theford and Albert Smith. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care 6747 East Broadway Road Mesa, Arizona 85206 (480)830-4422. Please share memories of Austin by visiting www.MariposaGardends.com