Latakeh Smith Obituary
Latakeh "Duck" Smith, 44, Appleton, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, March 7, 2025. The son of Diane Moore and Paul Smith was born in Akwesasne, New York on February 22, 1981.
Duck grew up in Oneida and attended Oneida Nation schools, where he was very active in school sports. He was raised in the traditional Longhouse beliefs as a part of the Bear Clan of the Onʌyoteˀa·ká ("People of the Standing Stone"). Latakeh means The Runner.
He loved music and was a great cook, grilling any time he had a chance. He was the type of person who loved to make people laugh, and though he loved "talking his sh*t", he was always helping others in any way that he could. He was an avid Packers, Brewers and Bucks fan and he had a huge collection of hats and shoes to match every outfit.
On April 11, 2009, he married his best friend, Tara Adams. Together, they had seven children and he was very proud to be a stay-at-home father.
He is survived by his wife, Tara; mom, Diane; father, Paul; children, Vianna, Vashantai (Marc Doxtater), Vintz, VaRyeuce, Vontayveuce and Valynteno; grandchildren, Matthew and Madeleine, whom he was extremely proud of. Duck is further survived by Meadow (Rolf) Moore, Nikal^tha "Bug" Smith, Sterling (Chantelle) Webster, Devin Webster, Preston Harrison, Tavia "Bunny" Moore, Oka-Rose "Yonakwala" Scow, Synala Smith, Kwnwahta Smith, and Qualayou Smith; step-mother, Beverly Scow; and other members of his extended family.
Duck was preceded in death by his daughter, Vaniecia; sister, Yotsitsyakele "Jiggy" Smith and baby sister, Rose; niece, Yoseline Carolina Smith; uncles; Loren Avery Moore, Rory L. Moore and Keith "Tink" Moore; aunties, Terry (Moore) Skenandore, Caroline Sue VanEnkenvoort, and Brucelyn Benson; special cousins, Krystal Torres Smith and Dwayne Moore; and grandparents; Bernice Moore, David C. "Joker" Moore, Evans P. Smith and Rose Denny.
Family and friends may visit at the Oneida Longhouse, W370 Reformatory Road, Seymour, on Thursday evening, March 13, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Visitation will continue overnight until the time of service on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will take place at a later date.
