Ronnie Dale Smith
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 5A Obituary - April 7, 2018
Ronnie Dale Smith September 5, 1945 - April 5, 2018
Obituaries don’thave to be boring and so it is that we acknowledge the passing of one of the most humorist men that Arkansas, Colorado and California (and all parts in between) has ever seen. Ronnie Dale Smith, 73, passed away April 5, 2018, of complications from a fall in his Cathedral City, California residence. Smitty, known for his wit, was born September 5, 1945, to Jim and Frances Smith in Benton, Arkansas. A twin sister, Brenda Gail, passed away after a brief 15 months on earth. After graduating from Benton High School in 1963, Ronnie moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where began the first of many (30 plus) years in the grocery business. His true calling, however, was California, and there he resided for nearly 40 years until his passing. In Los Angeles, he met a true partner (and spouse) in Boyd L. Wheeler, who survives him. Also surviving him are sisters, Dal Taylor (Benton), and Syble Hayden (Grand Junction) and brother, John Smith (Justin, Texas). He was preceded in death by Mr. and Mrs. Smith; brothers, Harvey Gene and L.J. Smith, and sisters, Dorothy Bullard and Mary McCool. Never afraid to speak his mind, Smitty loved all his relatives; however, he would point out that he was especially fond of brothers-in-law, Ray Taylor and Button McCool. All of his nieces and nephews held a special place in his heart; at the top of the list were nieces, Debbie Rauschenberger and Cathy Westbrook, both of Benton. A nephew, Todd Hayden, of Houston, Texas, enjoyed the many phone calls the two exchanged. Whenever Smitty said, "do you have just another minute or two?" it signified an entertaining 30-minute extension of the call. There are too many names to mention whose lives he touched (and he theirs); and because of him all of those know a little bit more about enjoying the ride. Unlike his very public life, services will be private.
The Daily Sentinel page 4D Obituary - April 8, 2018
Ronnie Dale Smith September 5, 1945 - April 5, 2018
Obituaries don’thave to be boring and so it is that we acknowledge the passing of one of the most humorist men that Arkansas, Colorado and California (and all parts in between) has ever seen. Ronnie Dale Smith, 73, passed away April 5, 2018, of complications from a fall in his Cathedral City, California residence. Smitty, known for his wit, was born September 5, 1945, to Jim and Frances Smith in Benton, Arkansas. A twin sister, Brenda Gail, passed away after a brief 15 months on earth. After graduating from Benton High School in 1963, Ronnie moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where began the first of many (30 plus) years in the grocery business. His true calling, however, was California, and there he resided for nearly 40 years until his passing. In Los Angeles, he met a true partner (and spouse) in Boyd L. Wheeler, who survives him. Also surviving him are sisters, Dal Taylor (Benton), and Syble Hayden (Grand Junction) and brother, John Smith (Justin, Texas). He was preceded in death by Mr. and Mrs. Smith; brothers, Harvey Gene and L.J. Smith, and sisters, Dorothy Bullard and Mary McCool. Never afraid to speak his mind, Smitty loved all his relatives; however, he would point out that he was especially fond of brothers-in-law, Ray Taylor and Button McCool. All of his nieces and nephews held a special place in his heart; at the top of the list were nieces, Debbie Rauschenberger and Cathy Westbrook, both of Benton. A nephew, Todd Hayden, of Houston, Texas, enjoyed the many phone calls the two exchanged. Whenever Smitty said, "do you have just another minute or two?" it signified an entertaining 30-minute extension of the call. There are too many names to mention whose lives he touched (and he theirs); and because of him all of those know a little bit more about enjoying the ride. Unlike his very public life, services will be private.
