Kenneth Smith

Kenneth A. Smith, age 69, of Barberton, Ohio passed away on June 23, 2026, after a short illness.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ethel and Garold Smith.

Ken is survived by his beloved wife, Zita Smith with whom he shared a lifetime of love. He is also survived by their four children: Aaron Smith (Samantha Smith), Timothy Smith (Ronni Frazier), Jeffery Smith (Allison Baldi), and Zita Smith.

A lifelong student and teacher of martial arts, Ken dedicated himself to the pursuit of knowledge, and personal growth. He was an accomplished artist trained in graphic design and a published author who combined his passions by writing and illustrating his own martial arts instructional guide book. His creativity extended into a deep love of learning. Fascinated by world cultures, he spent years studying many languages.

His legacy lives on not only through his accomplishments, but through the lives of his children. Ken encouraged curiosity, creativity, and independent thinking. His influence can be seen in each of his children, all of whom share his artistic spirit, passion, and love of learning.

Ken will be remembered for his intelligence, creativity, quiet strength, and endless curiosity. He will be deeply loved, missed, and fondly remembered by his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.