Ronnie Robert Smith

Ronnie Robert Smith of Royal City, Washington, was called home to our Lord on Sunday morning, Oct. 2, at the age of 76. Ronnie passed away at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane following a courageous battle to recover from aorta surgery in early September.

Ronnie was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1945, to Robert and Dorothy Smith. Ronnie’s family moved to California in the early 1950s, where he graduated from Roosevelt High School in Fresno in 1964. He met his future bride, Joyce, in church and they married in December of 1967, after he and Joyce’s family moved to Washington state. Ronnie and Joyce settled in Washington state, where he worked in the logging industry for Weyerhauser, as a scaler, retiring in 2009, after 41 years of honorable employment.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his grandmother Jenny Smith, parents Robert Smith and Dorothy Broadwater. Ronnie is survived by his wife Joyce Smith, his son Marcus Smith (Krista Smith), his daughter Stacie Cochran (Terry Cochran), and his sister Brenda Jenkins. Ronnie was blessed with seven grandchildren: Breanne Diaz, Kayla Jones (Wade Jones), Jaimen Smith (Emma Smith), Caitlin Diaz, Jack Diaz, Louden Smith and Madyn Smith. Ronnie had three great-grandchildren: Oakley Smith, Berlyn Jones and Hendrix Smith.

Ronnie was known as a caring and loving individual, a man of few words, who led by example, displayed by his work ethic and faith in Jesus Christ. Ronnie dedicated his life to his family and his faith in Jesus Christ. Ronnie’s favorite activities included playing games, watching movies, coaching sports or anything that involved being together with friends and family. Ronnie’s greatest gifts to his family were his endless love and time. He was always available to his wife and kids, a fine example of a good dad. Ronnie played the bass guitar for nearly 50 years, in a gospel group during the 1970s and 1980s, as well as numerous worship teams over the years. Ronnie attended New Life Fellowship Church in Royal City where he continued to play his bass as a part of their worship team.

Services for Ronnie will be Saturday, Oct. 8 at the following times and locations:

10 a.m.: Graveside service, Royal Memorial Gardens, 900 Apple Ave. NE, Royal City, Washington, open to anyone.

11 a.m.: Memorial service, New Life Fellowship Church, 117 Camelia St. NW, Royal City, Washington. A lunch at the church will follow the memorial service. All friends and family are welcome to be a part of celebrating Ronnie’s life. The memorial service is also open to anyone.

Please express your thoughts and memories at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories of Moses Lake, Washington.