John Smith, St. Anthony Park, died Dec. 4. He was born April 19, 1959, in Mankato.

John suffered a birth accident that left him with cerebral palsy. Despite that disability, he was a lover of the outdoors and made many trips to the BWCA. A second accident, as an adult, resulted in a spinal cord injury, which left him wheelchair-bound.

John had spent time at Camp Courage as a child, and he returned there to learn how to use a power wheelchair. He was a frequent sight on that device as he fearlessly navigated the streets and sidewalks of his neighborhood and beyond.

John worked at Camp Courage and at the University of Minnesota, where he was an advocate for students with disabilities.

In 2007, John moved to a condominium at Linnea Gardens on Como Avenue in St. Anthony Park. He was a huge Gophers fan, with season tickets to several sports, and he regularly rode his power wheelchair from Linnea Gardens to the U of M campus. He also loved the Vikings.

John was fiercely independent. He arranged all his own care and refused to be defined by his disability.

John is survived by sister Candi and brother Patrick (Melanie).

A memorial service has been held at Spirit Catholic Community Church. Memorials are preferred to the church and to Camp Courage.