Roland L. "Smitty" Smith
Marriages
Bonnie Hicks - April 14, 1946
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel - September 19, 2009
Steamboat Today - September 27, 2009
Roland L. "Smitty" Smith, of Hayden, died Sept. 16 at the Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs, following a brief illness. He was 88.
Roland was born Sept. 9, 1921, in Admire, Kan., the son of Walter and Jenny (Coats) Smith.
He was raised and attended school in Admire.
Roland moved to the Gunnison area in 1940, and it was there that he met his future wife, Bonnie Hicks. Shortly after that, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served for several years.
When he returned from the war, he and Bonnie were married on April 14, 1946, in Gunnison. Roland was a carpenter, cabinet builder and truck driver, and later, a heavy equipment operator in road construction work that he continued to do for the remainder of his working years. Roland and his family lived in various places including Eckert, Delta, Craig, Grand Junction and Hayden.
He enjoyed his various occupations and was a person who could fix most anything.
He also enjoyed haying. Roland was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Eckert.
He is survived by his daughters, Patricia A. Richardson and her husband, Jack, of Steamboat Springs; and Rhonda K. Smith, of Fresno, Calif.; his son, David L. Smith and his wife, Kathy, of Hayden; his grandchildren, Jeremiah and Aaron Smith, Kristi Richardson, Jacob and Joshua Jimenez; his great-grandchildren, Hailee, Josee and Jace Smith; and his brother, Lamoyne Smith, of Topeka, Kan.
Roland was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; his parents, Walter and Jenny; and a brother, Ivan.
Cremation has taken place, and memorial services were held Sept. 22 at the Church of Christ in Delta with Pastor Wayne Kitchens officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice in care of Grant Mortuary, 621 Yampa Ave., Craig, CO 81625.
