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Richard Smith of Glen Rose, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior November 4, 2023.
Born September 24, 1940, in New York City. He spent his teenage days in Point Marion, PA, graduating from high school in 1958.
Because of his father’s service to his country, Richard had a desire to serve also. He was inducted into the NAVY January 22, 1959, where he spent the next 20 years. He then returned to school to further his education becoming a computer programmer contractor for several well-known companies.
His first Navy assignment in 1959 was Corpus Christi where he met the love of his life, Mary Jane Martin and married shortly thereafter.
The joy of Richard’s life was his devotion to his family. His wife, Mary, passed November 7, 2008, after 48.5 years of marriage. They will be buried together forever today.
Richard is survived by his wife, Suzanne Strackbein of 13 years, sons Steve Smith (Shawn), James Smith and daughter Jennifer Floyd (Steve). Grandchildren Jacob Smith, Emma Smith, Ryan Park (Kerianne) and great grandson, Asher Park. Sister Rosemary Mahon and stepbrother, Clifford Brice.
Richard was preceded in death by Mary Jane Smith, his Mom Phyllis Smith and Father, Stephen Joseph Smith.
Mary managed several Randall’s deli’s in Houston area after their children were in school. When Richard and Mary’s family moved to the hill country, Mary opened Mary’s Beef & Buns in Bertram, Texas during mid 1990’s until 2008.
Mary was survived by sons Steve Smith (Shawn), James Smith and daughter Jennifer Floyd (Steve). Grandchildren Jacob Smith, Emma Smith, Ryan Park. Sisters Wanda Grimes, Eva Purcell, Deanna Kesinger and Christi LaBlanc Mary was preceded in death by her mom, Sophie Merek, father J C Martin and sister Susie Kesinger.
While Mary was on hospice care, Richard became acquainted with Minister Tim Denton who comforted Richard during Mary’s illness. Richard later became a member of the Vanderveer Church of Christ in Burnet, TX after he and Suzanne married.
Richard loved to cruise and spent many years during and after retirement on the seas enjoying the sights he missed while flying with the NAVY as an aviation electronics crew member. Richard started cruising in 1989 with Mary and his final cruise ended September 3, 2023, with Suzanne. He will be remembered as making many new friendships in all the trips they took seeing the world.
Services will be held at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen on December 4, 2023, at 10:45am under the direction of Minister Tim Denton of the Vanderveer Church of Christ in Burnet.
