- Date Of Birth: June 9, 1962
- Date Of Death: February 20, 2016
- State: Michigan
Richard Eugene Smith Jr, known to those close to him as “JR” passed away tragically alongside his son doing what they loved on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at the age of 53. Rich was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 9, 1962 to Richard Eugene Smith, Sr and Wanda Tam (Daniels) Smith. He was a journeyman pipefitter for over 30 years, primarily at Pfizer (formerly The Upjohn Company), and for the past 4 years, a Construction Manager for Jacobs Field Services North America. He graduated in 1980 from Portage Central High School.
Lived in Colorado and attended Denver Automotive & Diesel College before moving back to Michigan in 1981. Rich married his best friend, Laurie Sue Smith, on May 30, 1992. They had two children Emily Nicole Smith (age 19) and Tyler Daniel Smith (age 17). His passion in life was his family and being a friend to everyone who were blessed to know him. Rich grew up on the Silver Lake Sand Dunes – riding motorcycles, ATVs and dune buggies. He also enjoyed downhill skiing, snowmobiling and jet skiing – anything with a throttle. He lived to ride his Harley and loved going to Bike Week. Rich shared a love of cars with his son, watching Barrett Jackson auctions. He was a phenomenal chef with specialties of cheezy potatoes, brookies, and a secret bbq rib recipe that only he knew.
He was the rock for his family, both immediate and extended, and was always there for them whenever they needed anything. Everyone who knew him knew of his huge heart as shown through his recent support of Girl Scouts of America by helping them learn a skill or trade. Preceded in death by his father, Richard Eugene Smith, Sr. Survived by his wife, Laurie Sue Smith, his daughter, Emily Nicole Smith, his mother, Wanda Tam Smith, his brothers, Roy “Charlie” (Barbara) Smith and Dale Smith in Florida, his mother-in-law, Valaire Jane Stahl and a many extended family members.
