Dr. Barth Smith

Dr. Curtis Barth Smith entered the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 18, 2026, in Olathe, Kansas. Barth was born on September 12, 1940, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Royal Curtis Smith and Margaret Emma Smith (Camfield).

Barth is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Katheryn J. Smith (Porter); his three children, Michelle (Scott) Travis, Brent (Serena) Smith, and Melody (Stephen) Smith; his grandchildren, Ryan (Emily), Connor (Caroline), and Kate Travis; Christiana, Olivia, Elena, Andrew, and Georgia Smith; and Porter Smith. He was also blessed with three great-grandchildren, Darson and Colson Travis, and William Travis. He is also survived by his brother, Blake (Kathleen) Smith; his nephew, Doug (Tonya) Smith; and his niece, Monica (Cameron) Guelbert.

Barth graduated from Bethany High School before attending Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, Oklahoma, where he earned two bachelor's degrees in Religion and Theology and a Master of Arts in Religion. He later completed both a Master of Religious Education and a Doctor of Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Barth dedicated his life to serving the Lord through ministry and education. He served as a professor and Academic Dean at Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, before spending the majority of his career as a Professor of Religion at MidAmerica Nazarene University, where he faithfully taught for 38 years. He also served as pastor of West Line Christian Church for 40 years.

Whether in the classroom, the pulpit, over a cup of coffee, sharing a laugh over a bowl of ice cream or across a dinner table, Barth invested deeply in people. He had a remarkable gift for listening, offering wise counsel, and gently pointing others toward Christ. He encouraged countless students, colleagues, friends, and church members to love God's Word and trust the Lord through every season of life. He naturally was able to help others see life's challenges through the eyes of faith, offering wisdom, encouragement, and hope rooted in Christ. His generosity, unwavering faith, dry wit, and wonderful sense of humor left a lasting impression on everyone privileged to know him.

Outside of his professional life, Barth was an avid reader who delighted in recommending and sharing books with others. He also had a passion for reading and praying the Psalms. His lifelong love of music was evident through his singing and piano playing. Above all, he cherished time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and found great joy in watching his grandson, Porter, play baseball.

His greatest joy was helping others grow in their relationship with Christ, and his greatest legacy lives on in the countless lives he influenced through his faithful example.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, Kansas, with a visitation/ reception immediately following the service. A private family burial at Oaklawn Memorial Cemetery will take place Friday morning.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Barth Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o MNU Foundation, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe, KS 66062.

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