Kyle Benjamin Smith, 14

June 30, 2025

It is with unimaginable sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved son, Kyle Benjamin Smith, on June 30, 2025, at the age of 14.

Kyle was born on February 15, 2011, to George (Richard) and Tanya Smith in Lancaster, PA and grew up with his big brother, Mason, surrounded by love, laughter and adventure. From day one, Kyle was a free spirit who marched to the beat of his own drum and embraced life to its fullest. His bright blue eyes always carried a twinkle of mischievousness; his quick-witted one liners would leave you in stitches, and his kindness and devotion to his friends and family were unparalleled.

If the only measure of a human’s life was time, 14 years would seem short, but when measured by the memorable moments captured through the thousands of photographs taken by his parents, Kyle embraced all of life’s adventures. From backpacking with llamas in Montana to riding the waves at the beach to skiing down black diamond slopes after just one lesson, his daredevil spirit was ever present and always testing the limits. Kyle was an avid animal lover, and we often called him the “animal whisperer” as he attracted strays wherever we went. He was devoted to his cat, Patches, and would spend hours just chilling next to her in his room. He was her special person.

Kyle also had a very competitive spirit when it came to board games. He was the best Pictionary partner, a shark when it came to Connect Four, and played countless hours of Trouble with his grandmother, Audrey, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

Kyle attended the Manheim Township Middle School and participated in the Manheim Township wrestling program from kindergarten through 8th grade. He also loved playing rec soccer for 4 years on Coach Justin Brandenburg’s “Wicked Tuna” team.

Though Kyle’s time with us was short, the impact of his life endures. He taught us to live each day to the fullest, to laugh often, to seek adventure and to always march to your own beat. His passing has left a gaping void not only within his immediate family, but in the lives of all of his friends and the Manheim Township community. His presence will be missed forever. If love from his family and friends alone could have saved him, Kyle would have lived forever.

Kyle is survived by his loving parents, George (Richard) and Tanya Smith; his big brother, Mason Smith; his devoted grandmother, Kathleen Austin; his aunts, Dina Shurley (Daniel), Kaylea Austin, Carol Elias (Richard), Lee McDermott (Brian), Larissa George (Jimmy); his uncles, Dwayne High (Chrissy), Frank Gibbs (Christina), and Joey Sulz (Kimberly); and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Audrey Smith, John and Rose High, and Hobart Austin; as well as his uncle and namesake, Benjamin Austin.

Kyle would not have wanted a traditional funeral service, so we will be honoring his memory with a Celebration of Life from 3-4PM on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Charles Snyder Funeral Home, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. Friends and family are invited to visit the Smith Family from 1-3PM prior to his remembrance service. Additionally, everyone is invited to share their memories during the service and celebrate the beautiful life he lived.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manheim Township Mat Club in Kyle’s honor. Donations may be mailed to MT Mat Club, 640 Frome Avenue, Lititz, PA 17543 or via Venmo @ManheimTwpMatClub.