Bruce Dean Smith

Bruce Dean Smith, Age 69, of Mount Vernon, passed away August 28th at Riverside Hospital, in Columbus. Bruce was born March 12, 1956 in Medina, Ohio to Leroy and Norma Jean{Gaugas}Smith.  He married Tamela “Tammy” Cook on August 15, 1981.

Bruce, best known by the CB handle “Pork Chop,” really enjoyed trucks. He started out driving a cement truck, then delivered record length bridge beams for Woody Hayes Bridge over SR 315 and several other bridges, and finally drove a dump truck for CTS for many years. He enjoyed family cookouts and spending time with family. He loved going to Myrtle Beach with his wife and the whole family. Bruce loved giving everyone nicknames and spending time with his grand-kids. Weekly dinners with Karson, watching Cooper and Coy compete in antique tractor pulls, and yelling for Colt playing baseball and football were just a few of the ways he enjoyed his time with his grandsons. He and his youngest grandson “Pickle” loved Godzilla and Jurassic Park movies and always got each other in trouble with Heather for their off-color teasing.

Bruce will be deeply missed by his wife Tammy; his daughter Heather (Drew) Freeman; and grandsons Karson Smith, Cooper, Coy and Colt Freeman .Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, his son Nathaniel Smith, and his siblings Brent Smith and Tammy Stitler.

Friends may call Monday (Labor Day) September 1, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home, Mount Vernon Chapel, 18260 Coshocton Rd, Mount Vernon, OH. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m. with pastor Patrick Bailey officiating. Look for the Mack Truck. Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to help the family with funeral expenses.