Obituary of Kevin Leo Smith

ROCHESTER, NY – September 1, 2024 – US Army Veteran Kevin Leo Smith was born September 20, 1966 in Rochester, NY. He was the second child born to Shirley J. Maloney-Smith and Willard H. Smith, Sr. joining his older brother Willard H. Smith, Jr. He enjoyed playing with his two younger sisters Michelle and Nicolle. He was always protected by his big brother Bill to some Will to others. Kevin attended Holy Redeemer and Corpus Christi Elementary School. At one time in his younger years, he wanted to become a priest and became close to becoming a vegetarian. After moving to Greece, NY in 1976, he attended Greece Athena Jr and Sr High School where he continued to develop his unique personality, academic goals, sports accomplishments, acting and singing skills, especially his love for drums and other percussion instruments. Kevin always talked about becoming a doctor, he wanted to develop the cure for sickle cell blood disease. From the ages of 13 to 16, he was always testing and making slides for his research on his microscope. No one was safe when entering our home for a visit. In his junior year of school, he was named in the Who’s Who of American High School students. He wanted to become the first Black Secretary of Defense, after Colin Powell got that position, he then started thinking again about medicine. It was also in his junior year he decided to apply to two schools University of Rochester and The United States Military Academy at West Point. Once he applied to those two schools, he suddenly started receiving information and requests from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, Yale, and numerous other schools. Kevin received his congressional nomination from Former Representative Barber Conable NY 9th District thus completing the numerous steps to attend West Point. Kevin began West Point at the age of 17 in 1984 and graduated at the age of 21 in 1988 as a second lieutenant in the US Army. Kevin Leo Smith passed away before day Sunday morning on September 1st, 2024. Nineteen days before his 58th birthday, God decided to call him home. Kevin is predeceased by his father, Willard H. Smith, Sr, his sisters Michelle E. Smith and Nicolle R. Smith. Kevin leaves to cherish his love, happiness, sadness, and wonderful memories: his mother, Shirley J. Maloney-Smith; brother, Willard H. Smith, Jr.; and sister, Lori M. Law. Kevin also leaves behind nieces, nephews, cousins, a host of other relatives and friends. Friends may call Monday, September 9 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at The Latimer Chapel, 983 S. Plymouth Ave., Rochester, NY. The Funeral Service to Celebrate his life will immediately follow with Bishop Harry H. Haygood, Officiating. Interment Falls Cemetery, Greece, NY.