Ray, known as "Smitty" to some of his friends, was born in Maple Hill, Kansas to John Edgar Smith and Hattie Gerrish Smith, the youngest of five children. His family moved to Yakima where there was work picking fruit, eventually ending up in Dixie, Washington. He attended school there, later moving to the stateline area between Washington and Oregon where he attended school at Tum-A-Lum and Milton Freewater schools. As a young man, he worked as a ranch hand, especially enjoying the summers that the family went to work on the large XI and XIT ranches in Texas. He and his brother, Alex, worked with horses – breaking, riding and doing rodeo. Ray joined the U.S. Navy in 1952 and worked as a mechanic in the engine room, traveling to Japan, the Philippines, Hawaii and even to Alaska on an icebreaker. A devoted son, he sent money home from his military paychecks to purchase a house and car for his parents. Ray met Janice Lee Simmons at a Grange event and they were married on November 25, 1955 at her brother, Billy Lythgoe's home in Gardena, while home on a short leave. His new bride worked as a telephone operator in Seattle until he completed his service in 1956, receiving an honorable discharge. The couple moved to Walla Walla, WA where Ray worked for different companies including Harold Electric and Chevron Chemical. Ray was led to the Lord in 1958 by his good friend Dutch Landoni. He and Janice attended Trinity Baptist Church where he became an usher and deacon. He set up the church's baptismal tank – a steel, oval livestock tank in the kitchen with a water heater and steps where the pastor baptized many people of all ages for many years. In 1969, Ray was transferred to Kennewick, WA where he and Janice purchased a house on an acre in the country. True children of the Depression, the pair grew, harvested and processed a large garden, nurtured fruit trees, raised steers for beef and Ray milked a cow providing milk and cream for more than 10 years. With their two daughters, Janell and Sheri they attended First Baptist Church of Kennewick, (now South Hills) making many lifelong friends. Ray taught Sunday School, drove the church bus and was a deacon, among other duties. While working as an appliance repairman, he was hurt on the job and unable to work. As a result, he attended Columbia Basin College for retraining in sales. He was possibly the first one in his family to ever attend college. He was 43 years old and received an Associate Degree in Applied Science. He was a salesman from the inside out and loved traveling a route, selling farm equipment, bearings, automobile parts to farms and factories. After retirement, he and Janice continued to keep their house and yard like a beautiful park, until it became too much for them. They had a townhouse built in 2013, the first new house they ever lived in. Janice passed away after a short bout with cancer in 2015 and though he missed his life partner of almost 60 years, Ray rose to the challenge of living alone - attending to all the bookkeeping and managing of daily life with the help of many friends from church and family. He even bought his first ever brand new car. He was amazing to watch, keeping up with friends and relatives and meeting his McDonald's buddies for weekly coffee. In the Fall of 2016 Ray decided to move to College Place, WA to be near family, due to health issues. He will always be remembered for his infectious smile, strong convictions and never having a loss for words. He is preceded in death by his wife, Janice; his parents, John and Hattie Smith; and siblings: Mae Patton, LaVern Anderson, Ed Smith and Alex Smith and granddaughter, June Collins. He is survived by his two daughters: Janell (Mike) Adams and Sheri (Mike) Collins; five grandchildren: Jon (Belen) Adams, Lydia Adams, Melody Adams, Ashley Collins and Amy Collins; and two great grandchildren: Hailey Robasse and Esther Adams; plus nieces and nephews. He was a man of deep faith and everyone who met him knew it. He was looking forward to Heaven and invited everyone along the way to go with him. He will be missed by his family and friends. The Celebration of Life will be Friday, January 6, 2017, 11:00 a.m., at South Hills Church, Kennewick, WA with a luncheon to follow.