Gilbert Venito Smith, Sr.

SACATON — Gilbert V. Smith Sr., 64, of Sacaton died at home on Aug. 13, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.

Mr. Smith was born on Aug. 18, 1957, in Phoenix. He grew up in Sacaton and attended a Bureau of Indian Affairs school, Coolidge Elementary and graduated from high school at Stewart Indian School in Nevada. He worked in Lake Tahoe and became a member of a hot shot fire crew in Truckee, California. He then joined the Marine Corps, was a machine gunner and traveled to Japan.

After almost three years of service he came home and worked at Wicker by Paul, Haxcel Spas, Coleman Spas, Therm-O-Rock West, Gila River Casinos and Gila River Sand & Gravel as a foreman. In his 64 years he was able to travel the world and raise a beautiful family. He loved to go camping, shoot at the range, play cards, cruise the backroads and just be at home working on his yard, watching old movies and cooking, mostly barbecued steaks, baked potatoes and salad. He was a funny, caring, kind and dependable father and was devoted to his children and grandchildren.


Survivors include four daughters and sons, Rochelle Smith of Sacaton, Gilbert Smith Jr. of Sacaton, Andrew Anderson of Casa Blanca and Amanda Miller of Des Moines, Iowa; a sister, Margaret Jackson; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Annie and Fernando Jackson; a sister, Gloria Smith Pedro; and a brother, Fernando Mattie.

Wake from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, at his home in Sacaton. Funeral Mass celebrated at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at St. Anthony Catholic Mission in Sacaton. Burial in Sacaton East Cemetery.

J. Warren Funeral Services in charge of arrangements.