Republic will pause this weekend to remember Todd Smith, a coach who shaped the lives of countless student-athletes over his decades-long career. Smith, 56, died September 19 after battling pancreatic cancer. A memorial visitation is set for Saturday at Meadors Funeral Home in Republic.
Smith coached his first and last games in other places, but was at most at home in Republic, where he attended school and spent most of his career.
A 1987 Republic High School graduate, Smith played quarterback and fullback, wearing #19. He later pursued education and coaching, starting in Marionville before returning to Republic and finishing his career at Nixa in 2024.
Steve Forbis, a longtime colleague, highlighted Smith’s work ethic and attention to detail.
“Todd always had a great work ethic. He paid attention to detail and cared deeply about his players and community,” Forbis said. “He was a great coach and a motivator of kids, someone who was loved by everyone who worked with him.”
Ben Wolfinbarger knew Smith as a family friend growing up, played for Smith in high school, then coached with him at Republic. He called Smith as a “player’s coach.”
“Everybody loved him. There wasn’t one kid on that team that didn’t love Coach Smith,” Wolfinbarger said. “You knew he always had your back, and he put you in a good spot to succeed.”
Wolfinbarger added that transitioning from player to coach alongside Smith felt natural. “We were like family. I knew what to expect, and he helped prepare me to know how I needed to coach.”
Smith also coached track and field for more than a decade. Tori Mooneyham, who worked with Smith for 15 years, said, “Todd was the true definition of what a coach should be. He had passion, he was loyal, and he loved his athletes.”
Outside of coaching, Smith enjoyed classic rock and fishing. Wolfinbarger recalled many outings to lakes and rivers with Smith, for whom fishing was a passion. Wolfinbarger was not surprised to see Smith battle his cancer the way he approached other challenges.
“He just took it head-on and fought through it every day, just like he did when he was coaching,” Wolfinbarger said. “That’s exactly how he approached his diagnosis and treatments—fought his butt off.”
Forbis said Smith was part of his life on many different levels — coaching with and against him — but most of all, as a friend.
“He was somebody that I loved dearly, because he was a special person,” Forbis said. “He was a good coach, cared about kids, always worked hard, never cut corners, and gave up tons of family time for the team. He’ll be dearly missed.”
The memorial visitation for Smith is scheduled for Saturday, October 5, from 2-5 p.m. at Meadors Funeral Home.