Smith, Richard R.

Richard R. Smith

Born 11/13/1940 in Fairfax, MO

Died 4/11/2021 in St. Joseph, MO

 Veteran Richard R. Smith, the son of Ray Frank and Dorothy (Larson) Smith, was born November 13, 1940, in Fairfax, Missouri. He attended Fairfax High School, Fairfax, graduating in 1958. Richard then attended a semester at University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, and completed one year at Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Missouri.
On September 19, 1961, Richard entered the United States Air Force where he served his country for four years, receiving his honorable discharge on April 26, 1965.
On December 21, 1968, Richard was united in marriage to Rene Harrington at the home of Betty and Jake McCall, Rock Port, Missouri. They made their home in Rock Port.
Richard worked as a meat grader and certifier. He was employed for one year in Omaha, Nebraska, seven years for Missouri Beef Packers, Phelps City, Missouri, one and one-half years in Garden City, Kansas, and for 20 years in Emporia, Kansas. Richard had an apartment and lived in each of these communities so that Rene and his family could stay in Rock Port. He was a dedicated and faithful family man and employee.
Richard loved all types of sports. He was very competitive and especially enjoyed coaching Little League football. Richard passed away Sunday, April 11, 2021, at Living Community, St. Joseph, Missouri, at the age of 80.
Besides his parents, Richard was preceded in death by wife, Rene Smith; son, Kerry Oswald; sister, Cheryl Poppa; and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law. Survivors include children, Roger (Alice) Oswald, Macclenny, Florida, Ronald Oswald, Jacksonville, Florida, and Kim Smith, Bethany, Missouri; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; siblings, Burt Smith, St. Joseph, and Amy Lynn Smith, Kansas City, Missouri; sister-in-law, Betty (Jake) McCall, Rock Port; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside service and interment will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 16, 2021, at English Grove Cemetery, Fairfax, conducted by Randy Poppa and Roger Goff. Military rites will be under the auspices of Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49, Rock Port. There is no family visitation. Open visitation begins at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, April 15, 2021, at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be left at www.minterfuneralchapels.com. Services are under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.

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