Theodore Henry Smith

A celebration of life for Cortez resident, Ted H Smith, will be held this summer, when the weather improves.

Ted was born March, 2, 1953 in Monte Vista, Colorado, the son of Ronald G Smith and Peggy J (Barton) Smith.  He passed away at Vista Grande Nursing Home in Cortez, CO on March 8, 2023, with his family at his side. He had just celebrated his 70th birthday. 

Ted grew up in Alamosa, CO.  He loved playing baseball as a young boy and later became a good back yard mechanic and even rebuilt the engine in his first car.  He worked as a cook at the A&W in Alamosa as a teenager and later became a skilled chef, working for the Copper Kitchen in Denver, where he was taught to cook everything from scratch.  Later he became a cooperate chef with the El Torito restaurant chain, which took him to Boston, Phoenix, Texas and Iowa to name a few. He also spent several years owning and operating an assisted living home in Durango, CO. 

He moved to Cortez, CO for a short time and then moved out to California with his younger brother, Harold, after he became disabled.  Finally, in 2003, he returned to Cortez, CO moving in with his sister, Kathy, and her family.  He remained with them, helping around their home, as his disability allowed, until he required skilled nursing care.  He moved to Madison House Assisted Living in October of 2022, and just as he was getting adjusted, he had another set back and was hospitalized.  He was then moved to Vista Grand Nursing Home in January, where he was well cared for until his death.  

Ted lived life as fully as possible, despite his health issues and becoming disabled.  He loved fishing and hunting and after becoming disabled found new hobbies, flying RC helicopters and eventually switching to drones.  Ted also adopted several birds over the years, teaching them to talk and dance.  He also loved to tinker and “fix” things, so someone was always bringing him something broken that they just couldn’t live without, and he would perform his ‘magic’. He also continued to cook for many years, much to the joy of his family, especially his sister!  

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald G Smith, and Peggy J Smith.  He is survived by his siblings, Ronald J Smith of Cortez, CO, Kathy (Paul) VanVleet of Dolores, CO, and Harold (Robin) Smith of San Clement, CA, his daughters, Michele, Meighan, and Jennifer, as well as his nephews, a niece and two great nieces.