Geoffrey Lee Smith

Born: November 24, 1952 to Robert Lee and Marcella (Housman) Smith

Died: September 13, 1965

Geoff was my older brother by five years. I have to say that I had the greatest brother that anyone could ask for. He was my friend, my protector, everything. There are several memories that I have of Geoff, really too many to mention. He was the first loss in my life that I can remember – human wise that is. I was only 8 when Geoff passed. It was really hard for me to totally understand what was happening. I remember being picked up from school and going home to a house full of people and then my mom and dad telling me what happened. All I did was cry and sit and hug our Bedlington terrier.

Geoff died at school and so there were a lot of people that saw what happened. I can remember my junior high years with kids coming up to me and saying that they saw what happened to Geoff and talked about him. It was a very hard time for me. I went to the same junior high school that he passed at. I had some of the same teachers that he did. I can remember one teacher, Mr. Brown that was there when Geoff died. He had such a difficult time with this and he was my health and safety teacher in ninth grade. I can remember him not being able to even really look at me let alone talk to me. Before I had him for the semester I had students walking up to me in the hallway and saying I had no idea that you lost a brother. When I asked them how they knew, they said that Mr. Brown was talking about him. I know that it was difficult for him to have me as a student, but after a couple of weeks, we got to be pretty good friends I would say.

Geoff had hobbies of his own that he did, he played golf, and had a newspaper route. I can remember helping him get the papers ready to deliver on Sundays. At the time it was nice to be able to help him. About ten years ago my husband, son and I delivered papers and it brought back the wonderful memories of helping Geoff.

Geoff’s passing was very hard on all of us. We all handled his loss in a different way. But that is natural for people to do this. I know that my parents had a very hard time, and after becoming a parent, I know that I would too. Geoff’s passing at such a young age affected my life in many ways. First of all it made me realize that we never know when our time will be up so we have to enjoy each and every day as much as we can. I also realized that diseases can hit someone no matter how old or young they are. I realized that after you have had a sibling, and then they are gone, that it is a very lonely way to grow up. People always ask you if you have any brothers or sisters. Then when you say well I did but he passed, they want to know how and what happened. Then you find yourself living it over again. I will say though that by having to deal with Geoff’s loss, that it has helped me help others in my lifetime. It has allowed me to be able to sympathize with others. I really believe that it has made me understand more things in life than if I would not have had to go through this.

However, I would give anything to be able to have him with me again. I have missed him on so many occasions - my graduation from high school, my wedding, the birth of my son, my life, everything. There are times that I just sit and pray that he knows that I still love him and miss him. He will always be an important part of my life, and I have also made him a special part of my son’s life. I know that Josh and Geoff would have gotten along great. Part of that reason is because there are some similarities between the two of them. I have a habit of talking to people that have passed. I talk to Geoff and my dad a lot of times. It makes me feel better to talk to them. All I can do is hope and pray that Geoff knew how much I really loved him and what a great brother he was to me. I will never forget you and you are always in my heart.