ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of Phil Smith, 73 years old, born on November 21, 1947, and passed away on June 9, 2021. We will remember him forever.

Phil passed away after an approximately 9-year struggle with Cerebellar Ataxia.

He is survived by his mother, his sister, his wife, his 2 daughters, 2 step-children, 8 grandchildren, and 4 step-grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild!

Phil loved his family (as evidenced in so many photos) and he loved the outdoors and tinkering with whatever he could!  He will be sorely missed, but we are grateful he is finally at rest from his physical struggles.
June 9, 2023
June 9, 2023
I can't believe it's been 2 years since you passed trying to move forward isn't easy they'll have ups and downs I know you're watching over me you're still in my heart I light this candle for you on this day
December 13, 2022
December 13, 2022
Hello Phil,
Sorry to have missed out on your life after I lost connection with you back in the 90's. You have been a very close friend at Westwood and ASU. Good to see Dee is still living. Had a lot of fun at your house, never forget when Frank redid the kitchen cabinets and sat down for a smoke and burned up the kitchen.
Jim
June 16, 2021
June 16, 2021
Hey son, this is your Mom

I can’t tell you how proud I am of you ! And of everything you have accomplished in your life.
It’s really hard to out live one of your children! 
Save me a place I hope I get to come soon and we can be together again ! Haha
I would much rather do that then stick around here at 96! Haha
Love you son!
Mom
June 16, 2021
June 16, 2021
I would like to share a poem I wrote.....

I have a brother that fits the bill
His name just so happens to be Phil

We were born where it’s very green
It rains a lot but the air is clean

We fought as kids do , I can’t deny
But our love for each other could fill the sky

He was a ham operator and a good one too
His room was filled with equipment, it looked like a zoo

Dedicated to his family and adores them so
He looks down with love on us below

He fought at the end with all his heart
His wife Debbie by his side from the start

To God he goes with many tears in our eyes
But we know he is safe till we all arrive.

Love and miss you Bro!
With love, your sister ❤️
June 16, 2021
June 16, 2021
One time we were on vacation when we were little kids to see some family Phil and I didn’t even know. So out of boredom ( he knew how I loved horses) with a string in his mouth and a towel on his back he got on his hands and knees and let me ride him like a horse ! NOW THAT IS QUITE A BROTHER RIGHT ? The whole thing is so funny to think back on cause generally I annoyed the heck out of him! Lol
June 16, 2021
June 16, 2021
He was a GOOD BROTHER ! he even cut off the end of my finger when we were kids (by accident of course! ) but then protected me from any harm till it healed. Then we went back to doing the normal brother /sister fighting thing lol!

I will miss you bro!

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Recent Tributes
June 9, 2023
June 9, 2023
I can't believe it's been 2 years since you passed trying to move forward isn't easy they'll have ups and downs I know you're watching over me you're still in my heart I light this candle for you on this day
December 13, 2022
December 13, 2022
Hello Phil,
Sorry to have missed out on your life after I lost connection with you back in the 90's. You have been a very close friend at Westwood and ASU. Good to see Dee is still living. Had a lot of fun at your house, never forget when Frank redid the kitchen cabinets and sat down for a smoke and burned up the kitchen.
Jim
June 16, 2021
June 16, 2021
Hey son, this is your Mom

I can’t tell you how proud I am of you ! And of everything you have accomplished in your life.
It’s really hard to out live one of your children! 
Save me a place I hope I get to come soon and we can be together again ! Haha
I would much rather do that then stick around here at 96! Haha
Love you son!
Mom
His Life

General Timeline of Phil's Life

June 15, 2021
  • 1947 Born in Hillsboro, Oregon to his parents, Frank & Dee Smith
    • Sibling: Kim Larson
  • 1963 Moved to Arizona
  • 1963 got his Amateur HAM Radio License (WA7DBE)
  • During High School, built is first Hot Rod, from scratch!
  • 1966 Graduated from Westwood High School in Mesa, Arizona
  • 1970 (Dec 4) Married Patti-June Wagner
  • 1971 Started P&P Television (Repair)
  • 1973 Started Reddi Electric Inc. (Electrical Contracting) - ran this business through 1988
  • 1975 Started Sunrise Boats (Custom Jet Boat Building) - ran through 1977
  • 1975 Moved to home in east Mesa, Arizona
  • 1976 Daughter Nicole Rae is born
  • 1977 Daughter Natalie Ann is born
  • 1981 Started Building a Cabin in Heber, Arizona - Completed in 1983
  • 1982 Built 1st home in Gilbert, Arizona
  • 1986 Built 2nd home in Gilbert, Arizona
  • 1988 Co-Founded "A Parts Puller Wrecking" with his Father-in-Law, "Dutch" Wagner - ran through 1990
  • 1988 Started "Valley Trenching" - ran through 2003
  • 1990 Started "More Time Video" (Rental) - ran through 1994
  • 1992 Started "Valley Electronic Repair" - ran through 1997
  • 1993 His Father, Frank, passed away
  • 1994 Became a Real Estate Agent
  • 2005 Became a Real Estate Broker
  • 2007 (Oct 7) Married Debbie Middleton 
  • 2008 Moved to Prescott, Arizona
  • 2009 (approx) worked for Woolfsburg Avionics Repair until retiring around 2011
  • 2011 Returned to selling Real Estate, part time
  • 2013 Moved to Apache Junction, Arizona
Please post comments so I can update or correct this timeline.

Hobbies and Other Accomplishments

June 15, 2021
Ham Radio
Remote Control Airplanes and Cars
Electronics
Building/Restoring Cars and Trucks
Working on Cars, Trucks, and Motorcycles
Water Skiing
Snow Skiing
Building/Construction (homes and cabin)
Motorcycle Riding
Motorcycle Repairs

He built 2 homes in Gilbert, AZ, a Cabin in Heber, AZ, built his own motorhome from an old city bus (they called it the "Behemoth"), restored an old "Doodlebug" mini-bike, built a "hot rod" while he was still in high school, restored several trucks, and could always be found tinkering with something (including CO2 cannister "rocket cars" with his grandchildren)!

Ham Radio (since he was 16 years old)

June 14, 2021
First call sign: WA7DBE

Second call sign: KC7JD
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