Anthony Grant "Tony" Smith

SIOUX CITY -- Tony Smith, 37, of Sioux City died unexpectedly Friday, Sept. 23, 2011 at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Dan Guenther officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:30 to 8 p.m. today, with family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home in Sioux City.

Tony was born May 31, 1974, in Sioux City, the son of Larry and Pat (Pearson) Smith. He attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and Heelan High School. He later attended Morningside College and the University of Iowa.

He worked at a variety of jobs in Sioux City but Tony was very passionate about the work he did caring for people with disabilities at Mid-Step Services and Opportunities Unlimited. His greatest achievement was helping to start the Respite program at the Children's Center.

Tony had a great love for music and the arts. He was a great singer and pianist and was also involved in many plays. After college Tony had leads and supporting roles at the Sioux City Community Theater and Lamb Productions.

Tony is survived by his parents, Larry and Pat Smith of Sioux City; brother, Gary (DeAnne) Smith of Sioux City; sisters, Nancy (Dan) Socknat and Christa Smith, all of Sioux City; brother Tim (Allison) Smith of Urbandale, Iowa; maternal grandma, Rose Pearson of Bronson, Iowa; and paternal grandpa, Bill Searls of Sioux City. Tony's aunts, uncles, cousins, grandma and grandpa were very important people in his life. He also very much enjoyed spending time with his many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandpa, Elmer Pearson; and grandparents, Ray Smith and Lena (Smith) Searls. We know Tony will be in good hands when he meets his big brother Randy, who passed away suddenly three weeks ago.

In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials.