Samuel Wilson Smith
Samuel Wilson Smith
March 16, 1990 – March 1, 2023
Our well-loved Samuel Wilson Smith left this earth too soon on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, with family by his side in Casper from injuries sustained from a vehicle accident.
Sam was born on March 16, 1990, in Casper to James Henry Smith and Gladys Virginia Getz Smith. His brother Christopher joined the family a year later, and Patrick completed the trio of brothers two years after that. When Sam was five years old his father passed away and the family moved to Lovell, where he spent his remaining years.
Sam graduated from Lovell High School in 2008. In high school he was involved in track, but he attended all sorts of sporting events, beginning his predictable presence among the coaches, athletes and their families. After high school he attended Northwest College, receiving his degree in broadcast journalism, and then contining on to Brigham Young University-Idaho, receiving his bachelor’s degree.
Sam combined his love of sports and his education in journalism in his treasured career as a sports reporter for the Lovell Chronicle in 2014 after being an intern there and finding his passion.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He met the love of his life, Natalee Kasinger, at the YSA Ward while attending NWC. They were married June 20, 2015, in Lovell and were sealed together for eternity in the Billings Montana Temple on Jan. 28, 2017.
Sam loved to cheer on the local teams. He could be seen taking pictures, talking to coaches and players or sitting in the stands doing his individualized broadcast of the game, often with Natalee by his side. His love of broadcasting created several opportunities for him to officially broadcast many events in his career. His excitement for sports could be heard in his voice when broadcasting or seen in his actions over a triumph. He was a sporting icon.
Sam also enjoyed gaming with friends and talking to everyone he met. Many people have fond memories of seeing him walking the streets of Lovell and will miss seeing him on his jaunts with his ever-present wave and smile. He never met a stranger and, despite his fear of the unknown, would do almost anything for his family and friends.
Sam has joined his family members who have preceded him in death, his father and his paternal grandparents James and June Smith. We are sure there were a lot of long hugs and catching up with his dad, who he talked about often.
He is survived by his wife of seven years; mother; brothers Chris Smith of Powell, Pat Smith of Denver, David Hayden of Richmond, Virginia, and Dwain Hayden of Chesapeake, Virginia; in-laws Clint and Dawn Kasinger; sisters-in-law Maranda Martinez and Jessica Kasinger; nieces Autumn Martinez and Chloe Smith, all of Powell; as well as many, many friends.
The funeral services for Samuel will be Monday, March 13, at 2 p.m. at the Lovell High School Gym. A viewing will be held at Haskell Funeral Home from noon to 1 p.m. prior to the funeral.