RIP Michael Smithkey, God bless you and your family

I met Mike when he was a correction officer with Polk County Sheriff.  I liked him from the beginning and have always been proud that he was a member of my family and father to Michael and Ashley. I haven't  seen him often since I retired and moved to Tennessee but he has always been in my thoughts and prayers.  Mike was one of the good guys and will be greatly missed.  Love you, Mike. RIP.

I remember being a teenager sitting on the couch at my dads apartment downstairs. My dad started coming downstairs and all of a sudden he started acting like a “spy” and was hiding behind walls, jumping “out of site”, and rolling across the floor, all while having a cigarette in his mouth. He then jumped up and leaned over to the lit candle and lit his cigarette, takes a puff, and says “Smithkey, Michael Smithkey”. Like James Bond. Lol. Teenage me was like, “there is something wrong with this one” 🤨🤨 Haha. He was always such a nut. 

Dear Mike was a senior in High School when I was a Sophomore.  I remember Mike fondly.  Lots of jokes and fun.  We played baseball together and had lots of time to joke at practice, in the dugout when we were at bat, and when we were traveling for away games.  

For some reason, to this day, I have a distinct memory of Mike showing me his curve ball as he was warming up to pitch and Lee Taylor was catching him.  We won that game.  

God Speed Mike!

My sincere condolences to Michael's family, Michael was like my little brother while he was growing up, Michael was 7 when Roy and I got married, so we took him with us when we were hiking, swimming  and just hanging out at our house, I think he liked my sister, they were the same age.  I have a few stories that come to mind when Michael was with Roy (his brother, and myself (Sister In Law). One night when Michael (was about 10 yrs old) he was sleeping over at our house, my sisters were over and we were telling scary stories about ghosts and things.  Michael got scared and ran home, we felt bad about scaring him so bad. All in all we had some very good laughs when we were all together. RIP Michael. Love to the family and prayers. Debra SB