GREGORY ELI SMITH
Born in Matewan, West Virginia, on February 8, 1947, Gregory Eli Smith was the son of Paul Elmer Smith and Elsie Belle Hendricks. He was born at home in a house that his father built. He had an older brother who survives him, Richard Paul Smith, and a little sister who predeceased him, Sheryl Sue Smith (Redpath).
Greg's father moved his family out of the coal fields of West Virginia to Barboursville so that his children could attend college. All three attended Marshall University and ultimately obtained doctorate degrees.
In 1969 Greg married Helen Lorene. After graduating from Marshall University with a degree in philosophy, Greg served in the 21st Naval Construction Regiment in Davisville, RI, for two years. After serving in the navy on active duty, he attended law school at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC. Upon graduating from law school, he worked at the National Labor Relations Board and later in private practice in Phoenix, Arizona.
Greg married Malani (Lani) Leigh Kotchka (Yoder) on December 23, 1978 in Phoenix, Arizona. Greg and Lani moved to Las Vegas, NV in February 1979, where Greg worked for the Nevada Resort Association as in-house labor counsel. Shortly thereafter, Greg and Lani started their own firm with other attorneys. Greg and Lani continued to work together in labor and employment law for the rest of Greg's career as a lawyer.
Greg always remained close with his West Virginia roots and often visited his parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was also a beloved son-in-law of Lani's parents and would frequently visit her family.
Greg loved to travel and went to five different continents, including Antarctica. His greatest adventure was traveling to Kazakhstan to adopt his son Jack when Jack was 2 years old.
Greg was diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 63, but continued to live a vibrant and full life, traveling as much as he could and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. After a hard-fought battle, he eventually passed away on June 21, 2023.
Greg was a deeply kind, gentle, and generous man. He is survived by his wife Malani, his sons Gregory Paul Kotchkasmith (married to Kara Westmeyer) and Jack Asylkhan Kotchka-smith, his daughter Malani Dale Kotchka-alanes (married to David Dante Kotchka-alanes), and his six grandchildren: Kai Declan, Aubrianna Mckenna, and Melina Kinley Kotchkasmith; and Aiden Armando, Kelan Jace, and Mckenzie Joy Kotchka-alanes. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends who love and miss him.
Services for Greg will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church, 1515 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89102, on September 2, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (https://www.michaeljfox.org/) or another Parkinson's-related organization.
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