Brian Christopher Smith

Brian Christopher Smith, age 50, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 22, 2021.

Brian was born August 20, 1971 and spent his childhood in Missouri. He has been a resident of the Des Moines area for the last 25 years. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during Desert Storm. He was an adoptive dad to eight kids over the last 15 years and fostered many more. He had a huge heart, he was a caregiver, and loved being a stay-at-home dad.

Brian was a man of the Bible and very devout in his faith. He served as a Lector at his church and often quoted scripture. Brian helped with confirmations and communions for his children. He mowed the church yard and did many service projects at the church. He volunteered in many aspects - with missions trips, working at CYC at Panora, and many hours devoted to service trips with youth ministries.

Brian was a creative storyteller. He was a brilliant man and had a wealth of general knowledge. Brian enjoyed camping, the ocean, and spending time outside. Above all else he loved time with his kids and family. He was a talented artist and was skilled at drawing. He was very good at crafts and loved crocheting. He crocheted specific items for each of his children. He even crocheted their Christmas stockings. He loved decorating for Christmas and putting up Christmas lights. Brian loved taking his family on many vacations and they would often include excursions to see religious sites or holy shrines. He had a good relationship with all of his children, and each of these were unique relationships.

His hobbies included playing Dungeons & Dragons and Minecraft. He loved Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. Brian was a member of Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Carmen Smith; children, Jena (Joe) Bemisdarfer, Michael Smith, Kendra (Tim) Smith, Kyleigh Smith, Jorden Smith, Kaden Smith, Rori Smith, Avery Smith, Christopher Smith, and Tomie Walls; foster daughter, Ashely Halkar and her family; grandchildren, Gabriel, Zalina, and Jace Bemisdarfer; and his sister, Lori Hester.

Brian was preceded in death by his father, Gary Hester and his sister, Trisha Higgins.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 29, 2021 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral Mass will take place at Saint Theresa Catholic Church, 1230 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. Burial will be 9:30 a.m. Friday, December 3, 2021 at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Brian.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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