Ron Smith

Ron Smith was the middle son of Bill and Justine Smith. His older brother is Tony and his younger brother is Jeff. The "Boys" had a blast growing up in Bellflower. From the very beginning to the very end they always had each others backs and still enjoyed being around each other. Their last trip together was in June 2021 to Big Sky Montana for a fly fishing trip and just to hang out one more time, having fun as they did so many other times. The stories they would tell us about all the pranks they played on one another, the fun times they had camping, the long car trips back to Oklahoma to visit family, and many other moments and adventures together. The three musketeers, Ron loved his brothers so very much. Ron grew up in what was called "The American Dream", a Mom & Dad that loved the boys unconditionally and taught them what was important in life; To be a good person, to have integrity, to always do their best, and to have the courage to be a leader of themselves. Those life lessons that Ron's parents imparted on him, taught him early in life what it was to be a good and decent person, and he carried those lessons into his adulthood. He followed his Dad and older brother Tony into the Pipe Trades. Ron started as a apprentice plumber working his first job at the Wilshire House Hotel in Beverly Hills. Throughout his career he advanced and eventually became a Senior Vice President of one of the largest General Contractors on the West Coast. Ron had a passion for the construction industry, he couldn't wait to wake up and get to work. The people that worked with him knew and felt his passion, and he was well respected for his knowledge, work ethic, and leadership. He finished his 55 year career in providing consulting services in the Construction Industry working for Jim Howard of Howard-Young International. The only reason he retired at the age of 74 is that he had to begin to focus his energy on the disease that would eventually take his life. He applied the same positive can do attitude and energy to his battle with cancer. He was a Superman as his doctors called him at MD Anderson.

Ron's life consisted of many other passions, far more important to him was his two daughters Kim and Cindy, his grandchildren Taylor, Amanda, Sophia, and Gabby, and his first great grandchild Zain. Plus Ron knew that the future brother of Zain was arriving in early November and would be his second great grandchild. Ron thought of James, the husband of his eldest daughter Kim as his own son, and loved him dearly. Houston joined the family later and married Cindy his youngest daughter. Ron was so happy that Cindy found such a good man to share her life with and he fit right in with the family. His first grandchild Taylor married Ilijaz and Ron was so happy that Taylor met a man that loves her dearly and that is a wonderful father to Zain. Ron was so very proud of each and everyone and loved his family deeply.

A few things that you may not have known about Ron...

He was the original MacGyver. Ron could make something out of nothing. He could solve a problem at work or around the house utilizing whatever was in front of him. In High School he had a passion for cars and racing. His pride possession was his 1960 Chevy Impala and he was known to have the fastest car in town. From an early age Ron wanted to be a cowboy. He was known to the people that loved him as "Our Wyatt Earp".

In closing, after 18 years together how I remember my Ronnie is that he was so very kind and generous of heart. He never held a grudge. I am so happy that I was able to have 18 years with him to enjoy life together. He made me a better person. At the end Ron said, "I've done more and seen more than I ever thought possible. I've been blessed with a wonderful family, wonderful friends, and that he was leaving this Earth with no regrets. Ron started his new adventure on November 5, 2023

Thank you for being a part of his journey, he loved you all.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Dr. Tina Cascone's Research at MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or www.mdanderson.org/gifts. Ron always said that Dr. Cascone is the reason he lived as long as he did, she is an amazing Physician and Research Doctor. If you are so inclined, he would love to have any donation sent specifically to her so that many others may benefit from her research and her gentle care as he did, and my Ronnie says thank you!