Kelly Ray Smith

Kelly R. Smith was born on 22 November 1968 to Terrence B Smith and Carolyn S Smith (Kelley). He grew up in the Kensington community and attended the Kensington school system. After attending the Beloit Vo-Tec school, he went into the irrigation equipment business with his father on the main street of Kensington. He and his father were successful partners in that business for nearly 40 years until Kelly's passing in 2025. Selling Water Reel sprinkler systems all over the United States, including Russia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Canada, Hawaii, and the U.S. embassy in Tanzania. Kelly loved repairing the machines and many of the schools in Kansas and surrounding States would bring their Water Reels to him to leave over the winter to be repaired and upgraded, which he loved to do. Even though Kelly virtually lived his life on the Main Street of Kensington, Ks and many people saw him on his daily trips to the Post Office and the Bank, many were not familiar with what he actually did. Being a quiet individual, Kelly went about his daily endeavors with little to no fanfare and very little conversation but was eager to engage in conversation with customers and others about any subject that he was interested in, including his Water Reel sprinklers. He was a kind person and never spoke maliciously about anyone. His family is proud of the life he lived and will miss him terribly. He is preceded in death by his mother, Carolyn, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kelley, an Uncle, Roger Kelley, a first cousin, Brian Carnes, and a great uncle and aunt, Ted and Vada Smith. He is survived by his Father, Terry Smith and wife, Teresa, Sister, Crystal and husband, Doug Roberts, and niece, Dylan Solida, plus Aunts Connie Kelley and Linda Carnes and cousins.