ATHENS- Tyler David “Ty” Smathers, age 37, of Athens passed away on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus. Born Nov. 29, 1986 in Athens, he was the son of Jennifer Allen Smathers of Athens and Jack (Jenni) Smathers of Waverly.
A 2005 graduate of Alexander High School, he was employed at Mill Street Apartments for 16 years where he formed a special bond with his co-workers. Known for telling a joke, but the punch line was never revealed because Ty couldn’t stop laughing. He was kind, generous, courageous, unrelenting and selfless. He did not know a stranger and if he knew you, he really knew you and probably your sister’s husband cousin’s birthday, address and blood type also! He faced many challenges in life, most relating to his diagnosis of neurofibromatosis and complications from surgery two years ago, but Ty would never want anyone to make a fuss over him. He was fiercely independent and a loyal friend to many.
As an active community member, Ty belonged to Athens Elks Lodge 973 BPOE (where he enjoyed delivering Christmas Baskets), Paramuthia Lodge 25 F&AM, Aladdin Shrine and the Athens County Shrine Club. Ty was also a proud 2-gallon blood donor to the American Red Cross Blood Drives.
Ty is survived by his loving mother, Jennifer Smathers of Athens; his father and step mother, Jack and Jenni Smathers of Waverly; his brother Bryn and his wife Johnna of Heath, and their children, Collin and Meredith; step sister, Ashley and her husband Matt Meyer of VA, and their children Benjamin and Joshua; a brother, Jacob Smathers; paternal grandparents, Jerry and Joann Smathers of Athens; aunts and uncles, Jeannie & Jeff Jenkins, Jill and Richard Meadows, Jerry David Smathers, and David Allen; also surviving are several cousins.
He is preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Norman and Mary Allen; and a step brother, Zachariah Reed Musser.
Funeral service will be conducted Friday, April 5th at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Community Wesleyan Church, Rt. 50 West, Albany with Pastor Phil Foster and Pastor Bert Christian officiating. Burial will be in Bates Church Cemetery, Alexander Township. Friends may call Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the church. Paramuthia Lodge will conduct Masonic Rites Thursday at 8:00 p.m. at the church. Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Athens County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 100 S. May Ave., #A, Athens, OH 45701 or Paramuthia Lodge 25 F&AM, 12 W. Carpenter St., Athens, OH 45701. Memo line, In Memory of Tyler Smathers.
