Tysheem Takii Smith was born February 5, 1989, at Paul Kimball Hospital to Daren Smith and Monica Clax. He passed away on Wednesday afternoon February 18, 2026, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
Tysheem was educated in the public schools in Lakewood, NJ. He graduated from Lakewood High School in 2007 with multiple offers to play college football. However, Tysheem decided to go with his love for music. He enrolled and attended the Institute of Audio Research in New York City. Tysheem completed the program in 2009. Shortly thereafter, in 2011 Pierce College in Los Angeles, California offered him a scholarship to play football which he accepted.
Tysheem was a licensed commercial truck driver for Primo Water Exchange for three years prior to his untimely passing. Tysheem was a football coach for Snap God 7vs7, and Ham Elite Football. He was a mentor, trainer and recruiting coordinator. Tysheem helped young men to obtain football scholarships to attend college. They fondly called him (Coach Ty).
In his youth, he was a jokester and loved playing Biddy League Basketball. As a teenager, he enjoyed DJing parties and playing varsity football. Tysheem enjoyed traveling. He was extremely knowledgeable in history, music and movies. Tysheem owned an extensive vinyl record collection.
Tysheem lived a life defined by love, strength and dedication to family and community. He loved his nieces and nephew Gia, Gio, and Gianna Keller. He will be greatly missed by them. Tysheem was a Knicks and 49ers fan.
Tysheem was predeceased in death by his parents, Daren Smith and Monica Clax, paternal grandparents, James Smith Sr., Narcisus Smith, stepfather Curtis Allen, cousins Da'Jour Randolph, Kendra Smith, and friend Luther Moon.
He leaves to cherish his memories maternal grandparents, Leonard Clax and Antoinette Sauls (David); uncles, Chris Clax, Lee Clax, James Smith, Jr. (Anntoinette) Jeffery Smith (Demetrius) and Stephen; aunts Ati ya Cave, Lisa Smith, and Jennifer Smith; siblings Quanisha, I-Dequan, Sci'mel, Keera, Kohmari, Reyana, Remaya, Reality, Nakiah, and Ahmar; close cousins Jazzmar, James "Trey;" nieces and nephew Gia, Gio and Gianna; close friends Jerry Jones, Mark Robertson (The "Cally" Crew), Clarissa Guiste, and Ezra Strong; mother-like figure Karen Strong and a host of family friends.
Tysheem had the ability to make a lasting impact on all those around him. "HE MAY BE GONE, BUT HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN."
