Eugene Smith

Eugene "Smitty" Smith, 83, died surrounded by loved ones at OSU Wexner Medical Center on June 1, 2025. He was born on June 14, 1941, and resided in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Family, friends, co-workers and neighbors gathered around him for several days before he passed away as a farewell send-o -sharing tears, laughter, and memories with Smitty. Smitty was the beloved son of the late Fred Pearl Smith and Marguerite (Fountain) Smith. His sister Lynda Price preceded him in death. His four daughters survive: Tyna Walker-Lay (Patrick), Bedford, PA; Teri Luther (Kevin), Cincinnati, OH; Tricia Stocks (Wayne), Apex, NC; Tami Smith, Little River, SC. His son Robert Eugene Smith died previously. Smitty was known as a cherished grandfather "Papaw" to more than 20 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; and he had one great-great grandchild on the way. Many of them worked tirelessly in his later years with his personal care, and with assisting him with projects, and on job sites. Several of them shared common interests with him such as fishing, construction, and exchanging memes and jokes. He is also survived by a special friend and personal caretaker Sherry Baker, of Reynoldsburg, OH. Smitty kept close connections to many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members throughout his life. Smitty was married to Virginia (Foor) Cremeans, his ex-wife, of Circleville, OH for more than 30 years. It's been said of Smitty his whole life that he never met a stranger, and countless people viewed him as a close friend, mentor, and confidante. Smitty began working construction and installing Pella windows when he was 18 years old, and built up a construction career that spanned more than 60 years. He continued working right up to the day of his death in various capacities. Despite the ravages of a multitude of health issues, Smitty strived to live life to the fullest. His goals became to stay engaged and to show support to all his family and friends, and to keep the work ethic he had shown for decades. Smitty loved Jesus and was a proud Republican. He cheered on the Buckeyes in both basketball and football, and he loved supporting the NBA. He loved hosting his legendary hayrides and taking long drives through the countryside. He enjoyed being surrounded by flowers and vegetable plants and having cookouts and picnics with family. The old hymns he grew up hearing his mother and others sing gave him comfort throughout the years. When he knew his life on this earth was coming to an end, Smitty looked forward to the hope of seeing the many people he loved that had gone before him-especially his mother and his son-and was believing that just maybe his best friend Tidbit would be meeting him again on the other side of the rainbow bridge. Smitty had an impact on everyone who ever came in contact with him and he'll be missed for as long as the rest of us that have survived him will live. He'll be remembered as a man that just refused to give up despite all the obstacles, and as an ornery, often complicated but always steadfast larger-than-life character.
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