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Ray Dell "Coach" Smith

1935 - 2019

Ray Dell "Coach" Smith obituary, 1935-2019, Longview, TX

BORN

1935

DIED

2019

FUNERAL HOME

Rader Funeral Home of Longview

1617 Judson Road

Longview, Texas

Ray Smith Obituary

Ray Dell "Coach" Smith LAKE CHEROKEE--Ray Dell "Coach" Smith, 84, of Lake Cherokee passed away at his home on Monday, Oct. 21, 2019. CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, with visitation at 1 p.m., at Rader Funeral Home, 1617 Judson Road, in Longview, 903-753-3373. Followed by dinner at Centre Presbyterian Church, 8531 FM 2011, Longview, Texas, 75603. An online guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com. Ray was born July 1, 1935, in Oklahoma City, Olka., the first of three children born to Randell Franklin Smith and Kathrine Louise Power. Ray spent his youth in Oklahoma, California, and Texas. While living in Dallas in May 1949, he fell victim to polio. He spent the better part of three years recovering in Scottish Rite Hospital. He later went on to accomplish great things in the art field and working with youth. In 1954 he moved to Arlington, Texas. While attending Arlington High School, he met his sweetheart and future wife, Lunita Jo Roberts. They were both 1956 graduates of that school. Ray went to work for the Arlington Daily newspaper in August of 1956. He and Lunita "Nita" married Dec. 6, 1956, and moved to Grand Prairie, Texas. After two years, they moved back to Arlington where both of their sons, Terry Ray and Craig, were born. He went to work for Chance Vought Aircraft in 1958 and worked there until his retirement in April 1993. While working there, he also designed homes and shopping centers for many builders in the Fort Worth-Dallas area. Among these were the Woodland West homes and shopping centers, Homemaker Homes and Historymaker Homes in Arlington. There are also homes in the older part of Longview that he designed. He also did art work, designing the animal cards inside the boxes of Kellogg cereal. In his spare time, Ray coached Optimist football and baseball in Arlington before coaching in the West Texas Pee Wee Association, for a total of 19 years. He also coached basketball through the Boys Club. His Optimist baseball team, the Elks, won the City Championship in 1971. His Optimist football team, the Crow-Dunn-Berry Cowboys, went to the playoffs every year but never won the city championship. His Blue Devils team won championships every year he coached them except one. His basketball team, the Little Sprockets, went to state every year. In 1967 the Optimist Club presented him with the first sportsmanship award to a coach. In 1968 he was nominated as Outstanding Young Man of Arlington. In later years he coached his grown and married sons, Terry and Craig, in men's softball. In April 1992 he and Nita bought a lake home on Lake Cherokee in East Texas outside of Longview. In June 1999 they retired there full time. He quickly, with help from many, started to revamp the Cherokee Fishing Club. He served as president of 11 years while Nita served as secretary. They were very active in many clubs on the lake and also with their church, Centre Presbyterian. In 1989, Ray was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome, which led to his demise. This was a total destruction of the muscles that were not destroyed with the onset of polio. Here again, he met the challenge head on with courage, grace, and dignity all the while trying to shield and prepare his family as he always did. Ray was preceded in his death by his son, Terry Ray (2013); father, Randell Franklin Smith (1976); brother, Ronald Jerry Smith (1976); father-in-law, Wayne Tomlin (1979); nephew. Darrell Attkisson (1988); stepmother, Jozelle (1992); cousin, Viola Dean Barnum (2003); stepfather, Clay Holderby (2004); sister, Sarah Stepan (2005); mother-in-law, Juanita Tomlin (2006); mother, Kathrine Holderby (2007); sister, Beverly Attkisson (2010); brother-in-law, Moe Attkisson (2015); brother-in-law, Archie Williams (2019). SURVIVORS: He is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Nita of Lake Cherokee; son, Craig and wife, Marsha, of Mansfield; daughter-in-law, Dayna of Arlington; grandchildren, Patricia Rene Chapman and husband, Charle, of Burleson, Megan Rae Ortega of Arlington, Dagan Reed, also of Arlington; his great-grandchildren, Dalton Ray Smith, Teagan and Payton Ortega; his sister, Carolyn Williams of Grand Prairie, Texas; brothers, Randy Smith and wife, Debbie, of Pearland, Roland Smith of Webster, Texas, Mike Holderby and wife, Connie, of Burleson, Rick Holderby and wife, Linda, of Holly Lake Ranch; sister-in-law, Pat Perry and husband, Bill, of Arlington, Texas; cousins, Shirley Morris and husband, Bob, of Dallas and Barbara Ann Edwards of Creswell Ore.; eight nephews; and eight nieces. Ray will forever be remembered and missed for his unconditional love, his great stories, and his willingness to help others. He is loved by so many.

Published by Star-Telegram on Oct. 27, 2019.
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6 Entries

As a big brother you couldn´t ask for or find better. Ray Dell is missed by his widow, sister, and son. as well as his grandchildren and great grandchildren.Being the only sibling left out of seven, I know they are saving me a spot and I will see them all again!

Carolyn Smith Williams

Family

October 21, 2023

Ray was my oldest brother and was one of the smartest, funniest, kindest men I ever knew! He is thought about and missed everyday! We lost Him 4 days after I lost my husband of 47 years so I know what the loss of Ray has been to Nita who devoted her life caring for Ray! She was the best wife any man could have asked for and our family was forever grateful for the love she brought to Ray’s life. They were God made for each other!

Carolyn Williams

Sister

October 21, 2020

Sending prayers of sympathy and comfort in your loss. Nita, you and Ray were special friends to me when I lived at the Lake. Always busy and involved -- making our beloved Cherokee a better place. Ray overcame so much and I remember so well watching him get in the boat and head out to fish. His work to put the fishing club back together, and you participated in everything we did at the Lake. I am so thankful our paths crossed, and Nita, I appreciate so much that you have continued to send me notes and cards.
Love and miss you.

Nell Raper Boren

November 6, 2019

Our sincere sympathy and condolences to the Family: Having had the honor and privilege of knowing Coach Smith in the 70's as a great competitor and friend along with my deceased brother Robert Chapa Sr., have some great memories of our coaching era with the Optimist Club of Arlington, We share n your loss; Mr. and Mrs. Roman Chapa.

Roman Chapa

November 1, 2019

Ray as far as big brothers go you were the " best" , as far as men go you were always the one to look up to and I always hoped to find one half as good as you. You were the kindest, most decent person and raised your boys to be the same. I will forever love and respect Nita for everything she did for you which was above and beyond everything anyone could ask and hope for. Your sweet smile and personality were magnets for everybody and your storytelling drew everyone to you. I'll forever love and miss you, Your sister, ~ Carolyn~

Carolyn Williams

October 27, 2019

I will miss you so much Uncle Ray. You were a wonderful uncle and you and Aunt Nita are great Godparents. I will never forget you.

Angie Carson

October 27, 2019

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Memorial Events
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Nov

2

Visitation

1:00 p.m.

Rader Funeral Home of Longview

1617 Judson Road, Longview, TX 75601

Nov

2

Celebration of Life

2:00 p.m.

Rader Funeral Home of Longview

1617 Judson Road, Longview, TX 75601

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Rader Funeral Home of Longview

1617 Judson Road, Longview, TX 75601

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