John Wayne Smith, 74, born May 21, 1941, was received by his Heavenly Father on June 28, 2015. A memorial service will be held on July 2, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Thornton Church of Christ. John was born and raised in Tipton County, Tennessee. He attended Gilt Edge Elementary from K-7 in Gilt Edge, TN, Burleson Junior High for grade 8 in Burleson, TN, Byars Hall High school for grade 9 in Covington, TN and East Aurora High school for grades 10-12 in Aurora, Illinois. John was the first of his family to graduate high school and his first job was a stock boy in a grocery store in Morris, Illinois. In the late 1960's, John moved to Denver, Colorado, where he met Rhonda and they married in 1970. He spent 40 years as a truck driver, traveling over 1,000,000 miles nationwide. During his career, he also won 32 Safe Driving awards, including Driver of the Year for Albertsons, Inc in 2002. During his retirement years, John loved to fish, restore motor vehicles and drive his John Deere tractor. One of John's most unique attributes was his "open door policy", in which he never turned down a visit from neighbors, friends, and family. During these visits, John always enjoyed telling stories and jokes. When any of his children were sick, his cure for every ailment was Seven-Up and a straw. John will be greatly missed by all. His survivors include his wife of 44 years, Rhonda B. Smith; sister Sharon Smith; four children, LaVonn Stauffer, Craig Smith, Chuck Shrum, and Jonette Strain; six grandchildren, Cory Delashmit, Ginny Leverette, Casey Smith, Chelsea Smith, Landon Strain and Marcella Strain; and two great grandchildren.