Owen Wayne Smith “Smokey” of Minden LA, passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 14, 2024 in Burlington, CO. He was born on September 16, 2005 in Shreveport, LA to Rachael Lynn Duet Rhame and Chris Wayne Smith. He was baptized on October 15, 2005.
Owen was raised by Rachael and Gregory “Mister” together with Chris and Lisa. He was the youngest of six siblings in our blended family and will forever be our baby and he knew this.
Owen loved life and had large dreams. After graduating from Lakeside High School in Sibley, LA in May 2023 he enrolled at Northwest Lineman College in Denton, TX. He graduated from Lineman school in January 2024 and shortly thereafter was offered an exciting opportunity he felt passionately about that lead him to Burlington, CO where he began his career as a Lineman.
Owen was a soccer star from the very young age of 3. He played for CABOSA in Shreveport and Minden. He was an awarded member of the Lakeside Cross Country and Track Team and a member of Caddo and Webster Parishes 4H Chapters and 4H Shooting Sports Team. He was passionate about the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting, working cows and riding horses.
Owen cherished his family and friends greatly. He cultivated lifelong friendships with Ross Weaver, Jase Pate, Dylan Welch, Lukas Krouse and so many others. His very best friend, Haley Sandlin, was the love of his young life and he of hers. He also shared a special bond with his Great Grandparents, GeGe and PawPaw and his Godparents, “Nanny” and “Uncle B”.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to Owen’s grandparents, David and Michele Duet for their love, support and generosity.
We feel the outpouring of prayers and condolences. We are sincerely grateful and ask that you continue to pray for our family as we navigate this unimaginable loss.
While Owen’s sudden passing will forever leave an indelible mark on our lives, let us hold onto the wonderful times we had with him, celebrate his beautiful but short life on this Earth and know that we will be reunited with him again one day in Heaven. Owen will always be with us!
Owen is preceded in death by paternal great grandparents, Wayne and Kathryn Jennings of Shreveport, LA; grandparents, Doyle “Spud” and Carmen Rhame of Minden, LA and TD Atwell of Henderson, TX.
Left to cherish his memory is his mother, Rachael Rhame and husband Gregory of Minden, LA; his father, Chris Smith and wife Lisa of Henderson, TX; great grandparents, Sylvain and Evelyn Duet of Shreveport, LA; grandparents, David and Michele Duet of Shreveport, LA, grandmother, Margaret Smith of Wartrace, TN, grandmother, Faye Whittington of Lake Charles, LA; brothers, Ethan Von Zynda and wife Alyssa, Austin Smith and fiancée Haley Magnum, Gregory Thomas Rhame Jr. and wife Caelyn; sisters, Emily Murphree and husband Blake, Ashley Rhame; uncles, Doyle “Rusty” Rhame Jr, wife Kay, Paul Duet, Matthew Duet and wife Kimberly, Andrew Duet and fiancée Megan Davis, Justin Turner and wife Ivonne; Aunts, Charlene Hurt and husband Kevin, Kristen Taylor and husband Ethan, Michelle Herron and husband Eric, Katelyn Duet; great uncles, Larry Cunningham and wife Carol, Lee Cozine, John Duet and wife Saprina, James Duet and wife Mindy; great aunt, Andria Long and husband Barron; as well as a host of beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Visitation will be held Monday July 22, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home. Celebration of life for Owen will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel in Haughton, LA. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Ethan Von Zynda, Austin Smith, Gregory Thomas Rhame, Jr., Ross Weaver, Jase Pate, and Michael “Punchy” Bartley. Honorary Pallbearers will be Eric Herron, Dusty Lee, and Lukas Krouse.
Owen was passionate about supporting St. Jude. He participated in a yearly 5K and it would be his wishes to continue supporting St. Jude’s cause. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in Owen’s honor.
