Kenneth "Fletcher" Austin Smith Jr.
January 13, 2003 ~ February 6, 2026
Born in:
Asheville, North Carolina
Resided in:
Horse Shoe, North Carolina
Asheville Butterfly TrailKenneth “Fletcher” Austin Smith, Jr., 23, the most precious gift ever given to his parents from God went to find his peace with his heavenly Father on Friday, February 6, 2026.
Ken was born in Asheville, NC to Kenneth “Ken” Austin Smith, Sr. and Karen Annette Honeycutt Smith.
Ken better known as “Fletcher” to the Etowah Horse Shoe Fire Department accomplished so much in his short 23 years on this earth. He was a kind, compassionate, and loving young man who lived a life of service. He graduated West Henderson High School May 28, 2021 where he was a member of the West Henderson JROTC. He also was a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 622, earned his Eagle Scout on September 14, 2018 and then joined the Etowah Horse Shoe Fire Department on November 5, 2018.
Ken was a member of Etowah Baptist Church and before becoming a fire fighter he had worked with the N.C. Forest Service working as a smoke chaser.
He is survived by his parents, Ken and Karen Smith of Horse Shoe; his Mamaw, Janice Honeycutt of Candler; aunt, Krystal Raines of Leicester; aunt and uncle, Kenneth and Beckie Davis of Mills River; cousins, Amanda Workman of Kannapolis and Austin Davis (Kailey) of Charlotte, NC.
He was preceded in death by his Nana, Barbara W. Raines of Horse Shoe, Grandparents, Kenneth C. Smith, Jr. and Jean A. Smith of Mills River and Papaw, Donald R. Honeycutt of Candler.
A funeral service with Fire Fighter honors is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Etowah Baptist Church with Dr. Brian Henderson officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church from 12:00 to 2:00 pm.
Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Garden of Memory with graveside honors conducted by the Etowah Horse Shoe Fire Department, the NC Forest Service and the Henderson County Honor Guard.
Pallbearers will be Lee Michale Strange, Tyler Adams, Montanna McVay, Drake Elkins, Gavin Gash and Nick Bailey. Honorary Pallbearers will be Etowah Horse Shoe Fire Department.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Etowah Horse Shoe Fire Department; 15 Morgan Road, Hendersonville, NC 28739.
Services
The Family Will Greet Friends: February 21, 2026 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Etowah Baptist Church
6508 Brevard Road
Etowah, NC 28729
(828)891-7153
Funeral Service: February 21, 2026 2:00 pm
Etowah Baptist Church
6508 Brevard Road
Etowah, NC 28729
(828)891-7153
Burial:
Blue Ridge Gardens Of Memory
994 New Hendersonville Highway
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
(828)877-3298
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://grocefuneralhome.com
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Ken & Karen, my heart just broke when I saw this about your sweet son. I am so sorry for your unbearable loss. I’ll be thinking of you and praying for you both now and in the coming weeks and months. If I were in North Carolina, I would be there.
Ken and Karen your son was such a great guy. We enjoyed having him over to our house, and knowing that Ken and Drake were best of friends meant so much. Ken was so smart and accomplished so much in so little time. He will forever be missed. May his light and guidance, as well as patience be bestowed to his friends and those after him. Heaven gained an Angel. Much love and support to you and your family.
Ken and Karen, family and friends of Kenneth. We were sorry to hear of Kenneth’s passing.
With deepest condolences,
Phillip & Joyce D. Evans
Ken & Karen, thank you for sharing Ken with us. Ken was such a great guy. You raised him to be respectful, work hard and laugh along the way. Our prayers are with you both and all those that knew him. Our lives will forever be changed and we will forever cherish our time and memories spent with Ken. May God send you peace and comfort to you both.
I will never forget the laughs I always had when Ken was around. He was such a good friend! He will be missed beyond measure!
Ken and Karen, I will always cherish growing up with Ken by my side. Such a kind and well mannered friend to have around. Your hearts will be heavy, but please know you have raised such a wonderful blessing who has touched many lives. I pray the Lord gives you all strength through this time.
Karen and Ken,
Words are not enough to express my sorrow for your loss. Kenneth was so blessed to have you as his parents. You are in my prayers. Love and hugs to you both.
My deepest condolences to you all. Praying for God’s comfort and strength during the days ahead.
Ken was a great friend. From emt to the forest service. He loved what he did.
All thru high school he was a really good friend.
Dear Ken and Karen, I am so sorry to read about your precious son. He accomplished so much in his 23 years. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and the rest of his family and friends. Kenneth and Beckie, I’m so sorry. Janice, I know you’re very sad and Russell would’ve been heartbroken too as all of you are. May God bring comfort to your hearts.
I am so sorry to hear of Kenneth’s passing and have had you in my prayers. I taught Kenneth in fifth grade. He was an amazing young man who will be greatly missed. I pray God will carry you through this and send comfort that only He can give. Much love,
Christy Buckner
Carson laughter I was friends with him through 7-9th grade was a great kid we are all gonna miss him he was funny and mindful to others, sorry that this has happen and sorry for y’all’s lost
Our prayers are with you all during this time of loss.
Karen and ken,
When I first met your son in June last summer, he always made me feel welcome in the group, he had such a kind soul and a beautiful smile. His smile and laugh are something I will never forget. One of the most amazing things about Ken was his compassion for others, he always did everything he could to make sure his friends were taken care of. I have been praying for you both and your family, I pray that you both find peace regardless of all of the sorrow that you are enduring. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss, Ken will never be forgotten, he will hold a special place in all of our hearts until we get to see him again.
Dear Ken and Karen we’re so very sorry for your loss. you’re all in our prayers and remember we love you very much.❤️
You will be missed
To Ken and Karen I am deeply sorry for your loss. I will be praying for comfort at this time. 🙏
Kenneth, you will be missed! Ken and Karen, I am deeply sorry. I pray for your comfort and peace.
Deepest Sympathy, Love, and Prayers
Dear Ken and Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to you both during this time.
May God bless Kenneth and his family. Our prayers are offered in his memory.
May God grant you comfort and strength. May you find comfort and solace from those around you. May the memories of Ken’s love, joy, and kindness he brought into this world be forever remembered. Our deepest sympathy.
Kim and Doug Clark
Our condolence to the family and friends. Your time on earth was short and heaven awaits you RIP brother.
Bruce Cook
President Buncombe County Chief Association
My thoughts and prayers are with you Ken and Karen, you raised an amazing young man and he will be missed by so many. Just hold onto your Amazing Faith and know you will see him again one day. He was truly blessed to have you both for his parents.
Hey Ken,
If you’re like most of us we tend to keep things bottled up inside but I’ve got an open heart and two good ears to listen if you just want to talk sometime. Hang on to the good memories you made with Fletcher and reflect on them often in the days ahead.
My prays are with you and your family during this time.
My condolences to his family, friends, loved ones and community.