Patricia "Patty" Rich Smith

Patricia(Patty) was born in Canton, Ohio on March 8 ,1941. She moved with her parents to the Phoenix area in 1943 and spent her youth growing up in Phoenix. She graduated as the valedictorian from Isaac school and then went on to Phoenix Union High school, where she developed a real talent for being a Pom Pom girl. She attended Arizona State University and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts and graduated from Michigan State University in 1965 with a Master of Arts. She was a Pom Pom Girl at ASU and captain of the squad in her Senior year. She enjoyed putting together all the choreography routines they used throughout the various athletic and social events.

Patty was married on August 3, 1963 to Phillips W Smith, they remained married for the rest of her life, 57 years. She has two sons, Patrick (Rick) and Tom. Patty’s husband and her two sons started TASER International (Now called AXON) located in North Scottsdale which is still headed by her youngest son and co-founder, Rick. Her eldest son Tom, also a co-founder of TASER, is now running a new start-up in Tempe called Wrap Technologies.

Patty loves animals of all shapes and sizes, but truly enjoyed her many dogs. Patty showed dogs and had many champions in the AKC dog show world and often found traveling all over the country with Phil in their motorhome for 20 years.

Patty is survived by Phillips W Smith, her husband, and her two sons, Rick and Tom Smith, as well as her 5 grandchildren: Kylie, Drake, Summer, Carsyn and McKenna.

A Celebration of Life for Patty will be held privately. All are welcome to join her service via the Livestream link listed below.