Richard Kent Smith

Richard K. Smith, 96, of West Milton, died on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at SpringMeade Health Center.  He was born on July 13, 1927 to Paul C. Smith and Edna O. (Pearson) Smith.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Edwin Smith of Oregon, IL, sisters Carole Temple, of Dayton, Jackie Smith and Susie Hornbeck, both of Vandalia and daughter, Vicki Bormes of Rogers, MN.

He will be missed and remembered by his loving wife, Dorothy Jean, son Allen (Sherry) of Tipp City, daughter Valeria Berry (Russ) of West Milton, eight grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter.  He will also be missed by sister Zola Jayne Schnelle (Lou), brothers Terry Smith of Tipp City, Norman (Butch) Smith of Vandalia and Gary Smith of Guntersville, Alabama as well as several loving nieces and nephews all across the country.

Richard was a self-made man without much formal education but had a drive to provide for his family with hard work and determination.  He worked at Frigidaire, General Motors for over 45 years, retiring in 1992.  He first started on the assembly lines and other related assignments but soon realized he needed to seek additional skills for a better job.  Around 1963, he enrolled in a correspondence program in electronics.  Even though this was difficult at first, he worked hard with his determined spirit to eventually satisfy all the requirements for a certificate in electronics.  This enabled him to become an electrician for General Motors in Dayton for the remainder of his time of work.  For several years, he worked seven days a week, ten hours a day, on third shift.  He was proud of his humble beginnings and over the many years, he made improvements in his original home, doing much of the work by himself, with some help from a few friends.

Richard was a member of the Brush Creek Church of God, just up the road from his home on Kessler-Frederick Rd.  On June 15, 1941, Richard accepted the Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized by Pastor Harvey Krogh Jr.  He held several offices in the church over the years, as well as being a Sunday School teacher.  He loved the Word of God, never hesitating to share his faith with anyone he met.  He was very zealous in serving the Lord, helping in any way he could.  He even trimmed shrubs and mowed the grass at church for many years.

In the 1980’s Richard became a licensed minister in the Church of God which enabled him to become the pastor of the Hilliard Gospel Church of God in Hilliard, Ohio. Richard pastored that congregation from 1987 to 1991. He and his wife would travel to Hilliard to meet with a group of people who had started a small church and needed someone to preach to them each Sunday.  He also would preach at Brush Creek Church of God whenever needed.

Richard and his wife, Dorothy Jean, who were married for nearly 77 years, loved to travel once he retired.  They purchased an RV and traveled all over the country, more often than not, staying at the camp sites of Thousand Trails.  He loved his family dearly and was very proud of the many accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He looked forward to the holidays for most to come home and visit or to visit them during summer trips.

Funeral services for Richard will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Brush Creek Church of God, West Milton, with Pastor Dale Swartz officiating.  Interment will follow in Curtis Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Hale-Sarver Family Funeral Home in West Milton, Ohio.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brush Creek Church of God or to Hospice of Miami County.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hale-sarver.com.

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