Anthony Gene Smith, Jr

ANTHONY GENE SMITH JR. (A.J.) passed away on July 13th, 2024 at his home in Overland Park, KS. A.J. was born September 23rd, 1994 in Kansas City, KS to Anthony Gene Smith Sr. and Anesha R Maddox.

A.J. grew up in Raytown and Lee’s Summit, MO. He graduated from Blue Springs South High Schol with the class of 2013. After high school, he attended the College of the Desert in Palm Springs, CA, where he played football. A.J. was employed by Heartland Coca-Cola in Lenexa, KS. A.J. started refereeing football and basketball at 14 years old. He loved being a ref and continued working with multiple groups throughout the region until his death.

At an early age, A.J. gave his life to Christ at Trinity Temple COGIC under Bishop W.B. Henderson. He later joined SPO (St. Paul Organization). A.J. loved the Lord and spent most of his life witnessing and telling everyone he would meet about who God was. It was his desire that all would be saved. A.J. would pray for and with you, preach and study God's word anywhere. He was kind and was known to be protective of his friends and family. A.J. enjoyed family gatherings, playing video games, hanging out with friends and attending games. He holds the record for the longest prayer when it is time to bless the food.

A.J.'s life changed when his son Kaison Jeremiah Smith was born. Kaison was A.J.’s pride and joy. He was looking forward to raising him and being the best father he could be. The joy Kaison brought to his father was nothing more than love and excitement. A.J. was willing to do whatever he could to make sure his son had everything he needed and was looking forward to his future.

A.J. was preceded in death by great grandparents, Matilda and Walter Charles, Lizzie and Robert Gee, grandparents James Maddox, Nancy Lee Smith, and Ronald Marks Sr.

A.J. leaves to cherish his memory, his parents, Anthony G. Smith Sr (Talisha), Anesha R. Smith (William), his paternal grandmothers Doris Smith and Karen Marks, maternal grandmother Dorothy Smith, paternal grandfather Randy Robinson, great-grandfather Frank Smith. His son Kaison Jeremiah Smith, two sisters, Chloe C. Bradford, Zakila R. Hall (Ryan), brother Edward W Guinn III. A Special Niece, Rylee N. Thorpe and Special Nephew, Cole A. Mahee. A host of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends who will miss him dearly.