Michael George Smith

Michael George Smith passed away after a long, courageous battle with cancer on March 14, 2025. Mike was born November 23, 1956, to Annie Komarek and George R. (Sonny) Smith in Choteau, MT. Mike was the youngest of 3 children.

Mike’s life began in the shadow of Black Butte on Brick Yard Creek in the Judith Mountains. At the age of 8, the family relocated to Grass Range where they continued ranching. His younger years were full of harrowing tales of fighting off outlaws, wild Indians, and even a dragon or two. He would often take a break from his day-to-day adventures to visit his beloved grandparents, George & Iva Smith, in Gilt Edge, now a ghost town. Mike also started hunting and trapping at a young age. There was no better way to spend a day with fresh snow on the ground than coyote hunting with his dad Sonny.

When Mike was 9 he began his rodeo career, a long tradition with the Smith family. Much of his early success was owed to his little horse Lucky. From rope horse to racehorse Lucky could do it all, a true all-around horse. He entered his first bull riding in 1973 in Jordan MT and won. He was hooked. Mike shared stories of traveling to rodeos with his dad and older brother Barry. Mike attended Miles City CC and later MSU Northern on rodeo scholarships. He also traveled extensively in Canada where he won the 1976 Manitoba Rodeo Association Bull Riding Championship. It was through the friendships he made there that he met his future wife, Colleen.

Armed with wit, charm, and a larger-than-life personality, Mike traded his bull rope for a microphone. He began his radio career at KDBM in Dillon. Over time he gravitated toward agriculture news reporting and eventually created “Mike Smith Broadcasting”. During his radio career, he traveled throughout Montana and beyond. There was nothing Mike enjoyed more than getting out and being around people. It didn’t matter the event; he was as excited about being ringman at a local bull sale as he was about interviewing the president of the National Stockgrowers. During this time Mike joined Toastmasters so he could improve his speaking skills. True to his character he worked hard and eventually became Governor of the Montana Toastmasters in 1993. Mike spent some time as a cowboy poet, even publishing a book. It was another way for him to get out in front of people and entertain.

In 1990 Mike & Colleen were married and bought a ranch on the Musselshell River where they raised their family. Mike was a little more sentimental than some ranchers. Many of his cows had names instead of numbers. A drive through the cows with him was mostly a history lesson. You got to hear about each cow, who her mother was, and if any of her babies or sisters were in the herd (their names too). You also got a rundown of her previous calves and any shenanigans they might have been up to. Maybe it wasn’t the best business practice, but many cows and horses earned “the right to die on the place”.

Mike continued to be involved in rodeo by becoming both a judge and an announcer. He loved all things involving a horse. He made sure each one of his children always had a horse to ride. The horses may not have always been very pretty or young, but he made sure that not only could they compete at a rodeo or horseshow, but they also had to be able to go out and move cows the next day if necessary. He left most of the horseshow coaching to Colleen, but Mike took his role as rodeo dad/coach very seriously. Mike built an arena and bought some Corriente calves so the kids could practice roping. He eventually added bucking chutes that were put to pretty good use. At rodeos, Mike could always be found in the arena. He was either giving instructions at the roping chute or pulling a bull rope.

Mike was an avid card player. He loved any game and was very competitive. His favorite game was bridge, and he was very good at it. He taught all his children how to play cards but mostly how to lose. He showed no mercy even to the young.

More recently Mike became a crop insurance adjuster. He traveled mostly around Montana but had opportunities to go to places such as Colorado and Texas. He was also a brand inspector in Wheatland County for many years. He served as a member of the Harlowton School Board for 10+ years.

Mike was predeceased by his parents, Sonny & Annie Smith as well as sister Caren Tucker, and brother Barry Smith. He is survived by his wife Colleen and children Jayme Colby, Heather Skelton (Shawn), Andrew Smith, and Austin Smith (Leah). Grandchildren Kash & Adlee Colby and Maeve Skelton. Also, numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends.

Memorial services will be on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Harlowton Faith Chapel. Pastor Jerrod Williams will be officiating. Please join the family following the service for a reception at the Shawmut Community Center in Shawmut.

Arrangements are under the direction of Perkins Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.perkinsfuneralandcremation.com