Ronald Glen Smith

Ronald Glen Smith passed away peacefully on Friday, April 15, 2022 at the age of 74 in Waco. Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 25, at Waco Memorial Park, with Rev. Roy Marshall officiating. Ronald was born at 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 14, 1948, in Hubbard, Texas, in the Hill Country. He was an only child to Charles Wesley “Chick” Smith and Margaret Helen (Norman) Smith. He attended La Vega public schools, graduating from La Vega Elementary School in May 1960 and from La Vega High School in May 1966. He was a proud member of the class of 1966. He and his family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, in June 1966 due to the closing of James Connally AFB, where his father worked. He attended and graduated from Del Mar Junior College in Corpus Christi in May 1968, earning an Associate of Arts. He then attended and graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville in December 1970, earning a Bachelor of Arts in teaching with majors in mathematics and biology. Following his father’s retirement after 30 years from civil service, his family moved back to Hewitt in 1981. His father passed away on November 26, 1984, at the age of 63 and is buried at Waco Memorial Park. Ronald moved back to Hewitt in 1986 to be near his mother. He began working for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) in April 1989. He retired from there on his birthday in 2007 after 18 dedicated years. He enjoyed anything to do with cars, whether watching NHRA or NASCAR races, going to car shows, or going to cruise nights. He also enjoyed working crossword puzzles and travelling. His mother worked at JCPenney in Corpus Christi for ten years and worked for JCPenney in Waco until 1992, retiring after 21 years of service. She passed away on August 16, 2017, at the age of 88, and is also buried in Waco Memorial Park. As a child, Ronald grew up attending the Bellmead First Baptist Church and was baptized at an early age by the Rev. H.O. Wynne. He grew up playing in the La Vega Little League. He was also active in the Boy Scouts for a long time under the church’s sponsorship. Ronald attended Western Heights Baptist Church for several years and became a member of First Woodway Baptist Church in 2007. He was a long-time member of the “Partners in Christ” Sunday School class. Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; his fraternal grandparents, Luther Dewitt Smith and Mamie Ross (Howell) Smith, who are buried in Bell Springs Cemetery near Abbott; and his maternal grandparents, John Daniel Norman and Pearl Zora (Sealey) Norman, who are buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Waco. Survivors include many family members and friends. “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27) In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Woodway Building Fund (101 Ritchie Rd, Waco, TX 76712-8545), to the Birome Church and Community Center (175 FM308 Spur, Birome, TX 76673), or to a charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.