Christopher Glenn Smith

Christopher Smith was a special young man. Sweet and kind, resilient and brave, he loved everyone he met. His work on earth was inspirational, as he fought through disability prejudices, making him a super hero for so many while his beloved Super Grover watched over him every day.

Christopher’s entry into the world inspired a movement of disability rights in Nevada and across the country through his family’s activism. He inspired a Village; Opportunity Village, the Magical Forest, the Santa Run, and magnificent programs that took shape through the prism of his bluest of blue eyes.

At age 8, Chris saved a toddler who was drowning, he instinctively did the right thing. In special Olympics races, he won gold medals, teaching us all what winning really meant, as he stopped midway to help friends across the finish line.

Christopher’s unexpected birth in Canada, along with his Down syndrome diagnosis, brought with it an 18-year battle to gain legal status in the US, as political agendas legislated the love of a special child. With Vice President Hubert Humphry as his sponsor and celebrity friends squarely in his corner, he eventually received legal American status. Without knowing it, Christopher raised awareness and the consciousness of an entire community that continues today.

Christopher loved riding his little red go-cart around at home, joyously taking aim at sprinkler heads while stepdad John spent every weekend for 25 years on hands and knees fixing broken parts. He loved to shred paper at his job at Opportunity Village, loving it so much, he would shred his paycheck! Direct deposit saved the day. He was a Document Destruction Specialist! who knew better than all of us that it was not about the paycheck, it was about belonging, and pride in a job well done.

Christopher is missed by so many friends and family. In addition to father Glenn Smith, an entertainer who’s annual Concerts raised millions for charity; mother Linda Smith, renowned disability activist and fundraiser; brother Jason and sister-in-law Krysti Gabriel Smith; and niece Lilyclaire. Christopher left behind stepdad John Wasserburger; stepmother Emily Smith; brother Micah Smith; sister Ashley Smith; and Kimberly Wasserburger Kouba; and a ton of Canadian and British cousins, aunts and uncles. Inconsolable are his adored caregivers, Sonny and Raquel Bolono.

Love lives on in Christopher Smith as he changed all of our lives for the better.

Love lives on in the hearts of thousands of families and organizations across the world made better by his journey.

Love lives on, because if his family could start all over again, they would choose him over and over again, in a million, trillion lifetimes.

Love lives on through The Christopher Smith Foundation, a charity created to support caregiving families and professionals in Christopher’s honor.

A Celebration of Christopher Smith’s life will take place May 15th at 5:30pm at Mosaic Church (formerly South Hills Church) 9220 Manhattan Rd, Henderson (215 and Pecos.) The community is invited. A graveside burial will take place May 16th at 10:00am at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to The Christopher Smith Foundation, Opportunity Village or Nathan Adelson Hospice.