Aaron Smith

Aaron James Smith, of Hobbs, passed into Heaven’s Gate on September 17, 2020. A Funeral service in his honor will be held on Friday, September 25 at 10:30 am at the Jefferson Street Church of Christ, with burial to follow at the Lovington Cemetery. A visitation will be held at Griffin Funeral Home on Thursday from 12pm-5pm. Please be advised that masks are required at the Funeral Home / Optional at the Church Location.

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Aaron James Smith was born in San Jose, California to his loving parents Chuck Smith and Tina Gregory. Growing up in California with his brother, Chris, he found a passion for cars young in life. For hours, Aaron and his brother would drive around in their little electric cars as kids, often with family pets acting as copilot for the drive. Aaron was also a natural in the water, wakeboarding and even barefoot waterskiing as a young adult. As he grew older, he never lost his love for trucks and every one he owned was “lifted”.

Aaron was working for Flat Creek Transportation in Kinston AL, and then found his way to Lea County, New Mexico, working in the moving of Heavy Rig Equipment. He transported cranes and drilling rig equipment throughout Lea County and the West Texas Permian Basin. The more difficult the load was, the more he enjoyed it. He took every opportunity to further his love of the rodeo, including riding bare back broncs in his free time. His dream was to one day have ten acres of land and some horses in this area as well as raise livestock for rodeos.  Aaron was honored to be welcomed here where his Father, Grandparents, Aunt and Cousins once lived and now treated like family by those who knew them.

Aaron is preceded in passing by his grandparents, Harlin and Bernice Gregory and Jewel and Tess Smith. Left to forever cherish his memory are his parents, Chuck Smith and Tina Gregory, brother Christopher Ryan Smith, Uncle Phil and Aunt Cindy Gregory, Aunt Patricia Quillen and his cousins Stephanie Gregory, Seth Gregory, Garett Gregory, Eric Stutzman, Jake Stutzman and Lana Stutzman. Aaron will be remembered as he was, a cowboy, may he ride forever in our hearts.