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SMITH, KEITH D. Keith Smith, age 62, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Smith, and his older brother, Kirk Smith. Though born in Chicago, Keith and his family made their home in St. Louis and Tulsa. Keith, however, always called New Mexico home. Keith received his Bachelor's Degree in psychology from Eastern New Mexico State in 1974 and then went on to earn his Master's Degree in counseling from the University of Missouri in 1976. Professionally, he spent most of his adult life in Albuquerque, working as a therapist-milieu director, first at the UNM Children's Psychiatric Hospital and then at Sequoyah Adolescent Treatment Center. For the past nine years, he held various leadership positions with the Juvenile Justice Service for the Children, Youth, and Families Department. Regardless of role or position, Keith was a force for child advocacy and an outspoken authority on the institutional treatment of children. Keith was also a nationally recognized Raku potter and participated annually at the Weems Artfest for over twenty-five years. His artwork never failed to amaze, as the colors, surprising shapes, and designs of his pottery were truly creative and delightful to behold. Last, though just as importantly, Keith was a strong believer in the healing bond between people and animals. He was an avid advocate of pet therapy. He and his constant companion, Tova, a gentle though extremely large German shepherd, administered to the emotional needs of hundreds of youth within the doors of Sequoyah Adolescent Treatment Center and Juvenile Justice. Keith was a loving, wry witted, gentle person, a friend and supporter to all he met. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Keith is survived by his wife, Linda; his son, Jacob Smith of St. Cloud, Minnesota, his companion, Kayleigh wolf, and their son, Dylan; his nephew, Jason Smith of Tulsa, and his wife, Jennifer, and their two sons, Chase and Cooper; and his niece, Mandi Smith Bass of Tulsa, and her husband, Eric Bass. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2801 Lomas Blvd. NE/Albuquerque, NM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a contribution be made in his name to the Animal Human Society.
        Published on: Sun September 21, 2014