Richard L. Smith

Richard Leroy Smith, 86, of Goodrich, MI, passed away on July 4th, 2024, at Lilac Homes in Dilworth, MN. 

Richard was born on December 30th, 1937, the third child and the first born son of his parents Louis and Sarah (Brown) Smith in Marlette Township, MI. His family relocated to Pontiac, MI where he met his wife Virginia (Rudd) in junior high school. They both attended Pontiac Central High School and were married in March 28th, 1959. 

Richard took a position at Michigan Bell where he worked until his retirement in 1982. He then worked part time for two friends in their telecommunications business and an industrial scale business.

Richard was never one to sit idle. He loved building things, including a Cape Cod style house for Virginia in Goodrich, MI after they relocated from Oxford, MI. He often was called on by family and friends to build and repair things. He loved to fish in his pond and take his boat to Saginaw Bay or Lake St Clair to fish with family and friends.

Richard also loved to garden and to plant flowers for Virginia. He took great joy in watching the seedlings he planted in the farm field in Goodrich grow into a forest over the years. He loved to raise animals and helped his grandchildren with their chickens and ducks.

He loved to hunt and would always be willing to relive with vivid details the story behind his giant buck from the Western Upper Peninsula of MI that usually was mounted on the wall behind his chair. He enjoyed riding his yellow Honda Suzuki motorcycle with whitewalls and polishing the chrome accessories. 

Richard spent decades serving Faith Baptist Church of Davison, Michigan, including serving as a deacon, teaching, and driving the bus for the Sunday school program. 

Richard is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years Virginia and daughters Pamela (Craig) Holland of Fargo, ND; Trisha (Darren) McGrew of Keota, OK; grandchild Eric (Kate Harrington) Holland of Lino Lakes, MN; grandchild Elizabeth Holland of Fargo, ND; and great-grandson Jack Donald Holland of Lino Lakes, MN. He is also survived by his siblings Jean, Sally and Robert.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Sarah and his brother Paul.