Wesley R. Smith

Wesley Roger Smith was born June 29, 1942 in Columbus, OH to Walter and Geneva. Ever the networker, he was always quick to make friends as a child, despite changing schools more than a half dozen times before the family settled in Edina, MN. Wes finished high school in Edina, where his love of golf began with his parents at the Braemar Country Club, before attending the University of Minnesota. After 2 years at University of Minnesota, Wes enlisted in the Navy and traveled the World from 1963-1966, before returning to Minnesota to finish his degree in Mathematics. Wes, seemingly on a whim, then landed himself a job in Insurance Sales that soon had him moving to California in early 1969. Wesley joined the singles group through St Andrew’s Church where he would meet another recent transplant from Minnesota, a young elementary school teacher, Mari. Wesley and Mari married in November 1970, beginning their life together in their apartment in Huntington Beach. Soon, they would move to Irvine and have their 1st child, Adam born in 1974, then adding Zach in 1977 and completing their family by adopting their 3rd son, Chad in 1986. As a young father, Wesley loved walking with his sons through the orange groves of Irvine, going on bike rides and coaching their baseball and soccer teams. Wesley was an intrepid leader on many fun Smith Family vacations from ski trips to June Mountain and Brianhead, UT to house boating in Lake Powell, he always kept his ‘no problem’ attitude. Having attended Mariners Church since 1974, Wesley held various volunteer leadership positions at the church before serving as Chairman of the Elder Board for 5 years in the late 90s and early 00s. During this time, Wes helped guide the Church’s merger with South Coast Church, campus trade with Liberty Baptist and expansion of the Mariner’s campus to the beautiful facility you see today, Wesley was the definition of a Servant Leader. Wesley loved oldies & big band music; western books & movies; a lunch of a PB&J, Pretzels & a Pepsi; his dogs Pruneface, Lady and Bama. More than anything though he loved helping people, he loved God, and he loved his beautiful wife, three sons, daughters-in-law, five grandkids and sister Deanna Smith Vosmik. Wesley went to be with his Lord & Savior on March 13, 2022, passing peacefully in his sleep. We love and miss you Wesley.

A memorial service for Wesley will be held Friday, April 8, 2022 at 9:30 AM at Mariners Church, 5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine, California 92603.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Memory of Wesley to the Lewy Body Dementia Association. https://www.lbda.org/donate/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Smith family.