Britain “Brit” Smith, 40, passed away unexpectedly Monday, March 11, 2024, at Knox Community Hospital with his family by his side. Brit was born on June 22, 1983, in Mount Vernon, Ohio to his loving parents Robert “Bob” and Gwen (White) Smith. Brit attended and graduated from Centerburg High School, after which he made and paved his own way in life seeking out and doing the things he loved. Brit leaves to cherish his memory his mom Gwen Smith; fiancé Nikki Laufer and their kids Westen, Lily, and Grace; sisters Bree (Jesse) Perkins and Brennon Dickison; Nieces and nephews McKenna, Lauren, and Jacob Perkins, Alexa, Kiley, and Braiden Dickison.“Co-bros” Daniel White, Andrew (Heather) Vogelsang, and Chad Cooperider; cousins Michelle Vogelsang, Debbie Lonzo, Connie Tiller, Christina Brown, and Michelle Heimann; helluva second mom aunt Sharon (Dale) Vogelsang; uncles Steve White and Randy (Christina) White; and his “like a dad” good friend and fishing partner Skip(Marla)Yeats. Brit joins his best friend and father Robert “Bob” Smith; grandparents John and Vivian Smith and Dessell and Laura White; his brother-in-law Josh Dickison; Aunts and uncles: JoAnn Phillips,Evelyn and Doug Rinard, and George Smith at that heavenly fishing stream. He will be dearly missed.
Brit was a big bear of a man. He was big in his dreams, big in his efforts, big in the lives of all who knew him. He never knew a stranger and didn’t want to. To those he loved, his question was always “What do you need?” which he asked with deep sincerity. This is a window looking into who Brit was as a person. He was a riot to be around and always did his best to bring laughter in times of sadness and comfort in times of pain.
From an early age, Brit knew exactly what he wanted to be. At the age of 6, where other kids were sneaking downstairs to watch cartoons early Saturday morning, he was watching AgriCountry with Ed Johnson. He wanted to work the earth, just as his grandfather did. He dove headlong into the farming lifestyle. Most recently he was employed as a salesman for AGPRO but fresh out of high school he signed on to Harvest the West, which took him up and down the coast from Canada to Mexico.
Brit had a very close relationship with his dad Bob. Not only did he look like his dad but he shared his mannerisms, humor, and that knack of walking into a room to get the party started with just his presence; all traits of the father he emulated. Brit was fun-loving, goofy, caring, considerate and understanding. When with his cousins-considered-brothers (co-bros), his sense of humor and delivery were relentless. He made sure a smile was never long gone from the faces around him. At his core, he hated conflict. He was a fixer and a peacekeeper. A true diplomat, he always found a way to solve problems constructively and to the benefit of all involved.
In keeping step with his emulation of his father, Brit became an active member of the Centerburg Conservation Club (CCC); an outdoor sporting club of which Bob was president. Brit loved to fish, hunt and shoot trap. Not only did he love to, but he was also very skilled and dedicated to it. He worked very hard on the trap line to get to where he was. Among his family and friends, he lovingly acquired the nickname “Puddin”, which is a story for another time. He was, therefore, a collector of firearms and fishing poles. He was an avid hunter, growing to specialize mainly in hunting waterfowl. After his father passed, Brit stepped up to wear the title of president of the CCC, a duty which he took seriously. This was symbolic. In the wake of the loss of his father, the best aspects of Bob shone brightly through Brit and the man and individual Brit was grew ever more apparent.
Brit was transparent, honest, and appreciated simplicity. He had a dog at home named Trip who loved to go on lawnmower rides with Brit and he was always happy to oblige. In recent years, Brit met Nikki and the two were recently engaged. The paths their lives lead to that point could never have been made more complete by their unity. Not only did Brit adore and treasure Nikki, but he also adored and treasured her children, which he embraced as his own. Especially his partner in crime, Grace.
Brit’s passing was tragically premature and seemingly without reason. Such a vibrant soul in such a hulking teddy bear of a man package is the lightning in a bottle phenomenon that one can only experience once in a lifetime. There is no replacing Brit and there is no filling the empty space remaining in his wake. Brit, if he were standing next to any one of his innumerable loved ones staring at that empty space, would know the right words and the right moment to lay his hand on your shoulder and show you the comfort in the pain and the light in the dark. He would quip with a silly remark and erase the tears on your face with your smile. You would know without a doubt that things will be okay. That is how Brit was and how he would want things to be.
Arrangements were made with Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel in Sunbury, Ohio. Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday, March 20 from 4 to 8. Thursday, March 21 there will be a funeral ceremony at Centerburg Conservation Club (5680 Sycamore Rd, Centerburg, OH 43011) to celebrate Brit’s life at 11 with a procession to Eastview Cemetery for burial immediately to follow. All are welcome to attend, and the family has requested attendees to wear whatever you wore when you were with Brit. In lieu of flowers, please make donations towards the cost of services through the funeral home. Thank you for your generosity.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel
Website: https://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com/