Riley E. Smith August 21, 2007 - September 24, 2024

Riley E Smith was born to Chris and Brandy Smith on August 21st, 2007, in Orem, Utah. Riley returned to his loving Heavenly Father following a tragic accident on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024.

To understand Riley, you must also know how close he was to his parents, Brandy and Chris.

When Riley was diagnosed with kidney cancer at 5 ½ years old, it started an unbreakable, intense, and fierce bond between them all. Especially with his mom, their hearts became one, and they love each other so deeply.

We quickly discovered what an incredibly truly special boy he was during and after ”Riley Rocks Cancer.” 

No matter the task required medically, Riley did what was asked of him. Often, he was scared and wouldn’t look his doctors in the eyes, but he did everything that was required to beat his cancer. It never returned. He had the best caregiver in the world: His Mom! She learned all that was needed to be his full-time nurse. She took detailed notes, asked a million questions, and loved and encouraged him every step of the way. She never left his side. His Dad worked hard to provide for the family and helped constantly when he was home. Hunter helped him be a little boy by playing with Riley when he felt well.

Throughout his treatments, Riley inspired so many and taught us essential life lessons. It was a special time in our community. All of Salem came together to support and love the Smith family. They truly beat cancer as a family, each having a vital role in helping him through. Their bonds were never the same. Every day was a gift.

Riley grew up in Salem, Utah, where he attended school up through his junior year at Salem Hills High School. His favorite things about high school were being a part of the FFA, welding, and weight training. And all his friends.

Riley played soccer, baseball, and basketball in his younger days. He was very athletic, but these sports were not his thing because Riley’s heart was that of a true sportsman. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and riding ATVs and dirt bikes. His happiness and joy came from being in the great outdoors and experiencing these things with his parents and brother Hunter. Riley had a passion for fishing and hunting that he learned from his dad.

Riley loved learning but did not always learn subjects at school. His passion for learning included watching YouTube videos to catch big fish, raise pheasants, and other valuable and exciting ‘real-life skills’ that helped him live his best life. Riley excelled with this kind of education that supported his interests and hobbies, which he loved. Riley made plans and figured out how to make important things happen for him.

Riley had a passion for living. He never stopped once he was set on something he wanted. Once he completed it, it was on to the next thing.

Whenever you saw Ri, you always saw Hunter with him. He and his brother, Hunter, have always been ‘joined at the hip,’ and they are best friends. One was never without the other.

Riley and his family have always lived life large, not with things that money can buy, but with love and each other.

Riley and his brother Hunter have always accompanied their parents on “Date Nights” because “Date Night” for Chris and Brandy is considered family date night and they always took Riley and Hunter along with them. This is a family that has always prioritized and treasured each other. No matter how much time they share as a family, it has never been enough to capture all their love and connection truly.

In 2023 on a beautiful and peaceful afternoon, their family was sealed for time and all eternity in the Payson temple. This solidified their family and will bring great peace in the hard times to come.

The tight-knit family of four usually ended up being a family much bigger than that, depending on which friends were around that day. But they quickly “adopted” Riley’s best friend, Jaxon Taylor, and became a family of 5. They always have room for anyone else, so their family is ever-growing.

Riley was known to be quiet, reserved, and shy in public, but his true and happiest personality shone through when he got out in nature. The camping trips were a fun and special time for Riley and everyone.

Riley loved visiting Blanding, Utah, to spend time with his grandparents, Don and JoAnn Smith, aunts, uncles, and cousins. His grandpa Don loved to take Riley and Hunter on true educational and exploration tours where he showed and taught them about mines, dinosaur bones, ancient artifacts, Indian sites, and many other interesting things. Blanding is a special place for the Smith family. One of Riley’s favorite spots is Recapture Reservoir, where he caught his first trophy Pike just last year.

He also loved hunting in the LaSal mountains and the areas around Blanding. His goal this year was a 140” or bigger buck.

Riley loved camping with his parents and grandparents, Cindy and Scott Larsen, and other extended family members. They always had so much fun together, whether riding and hitting trails or hanging out by the campfire. He especially loved being with them at Fishlake, where he finally caught his trophy Tiger Musky this summer.

Riley was able to enjoy traveling during his 17 years. Family trips to Florida, California, cruising twice in the Caribbean, Yellowstone, and Hawaii are some highlights; if he was by the ocean, you could bet he had to go deep sea fishing too. But he was also content just to fish at Salem Pond or anywhere he could drop a line.

Riley has worked for the Salem City Recreation Department and TKB Plumbing, and he loved his job cleaning horse stalls. He found joy in cleaning out stalls because it allowed him to build a special bond with the horses, making each day at work feel rewarding for him. This simple task made him genuinely happy as he knew each horse and would tell others all about them. He would come home smelling of manure but with the biggest smile on his face.

He was consistently a hard worker. Riley wanted to learn and train to be an electrician.

If you know Riley, you know his radiating light, infectious smile, and kind personality. He was loyal and highly faithful. He cared about people in a quiet, unique, and personal way. He formed connections with people no matter where they were.

Riley loved many things, and here are just a few: hanging out with his cousins, hunting turkey, deer, elk, and pheasants with his dad and Hunter; fishing, dirt bikes, trucks, and his mom; his friend Jaxon  Taylor, cowboy boots and Hey Dude shoes; raising pheasants, being involved with FFA; and his mom. As you can tell from what he loves, Riley has a very special relationship with his mom.

His parents, brother, family, and friends loved and adored him.

Riley fulfilled everything he wanted to do, everything he needed, and everything he was meant to do here on earth. His goodness was so profound that he leaves us a legacy of kindness and love.

Riley is survived by his parents, Chris and Brandy Smith; his brother Hunter Smith; grandparents Cindy and Scott Larsen, grandmother JoAnn Smith, grandparents Barry and Cindy Wilson; aunts and uncles as follows: Alicia Crane (Mitch), Angie Camara (Jeremy), Hayden Wilson (Mandy), Amanda Hall (Scott), Nikki Nowers (Cole), Jennifer Johnson (Wayne), Denise Johnson, Stephen Smith (Amber), Jolyn Axelgard (Jasen); and numerous fun and loving cousins.

Riley was preceded in death by his grandfather, Don Smith, uncle Eric Johnson, uncle Jim Mickelsen, and baby cousin Joshua Axelgard.

The Smith family would like to deeply thank the bystanders, Salem City’s first responders,   Life Flight pilots, and staff, Primary Children’s Hospital, and staff for all they did on Riley’s behalf.

They would also like to thank everyone who prayed, loved, wept, and thought of us during this time.

A visitation for Riley will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 470 E Salem Canal Rd, Salem, Utah.

The following morning, Tuesday, October 1, 2024, will be another visitation at the same location from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. The funeral services will follow starting at 11:00 am.

Riley’s parents invite all to come. Please come as you are (no dress code) because Riley loved people, pure and simple, just as they are.

In lieu of flowers, please live life large, like Riley. Spend time with those you love.