Richard Lee Smarker Sr.

Richard Lee Smarker, 88, Springfield, MO, passed away on Monday, September 29, 2025. He was born February 6, 1937 in Kansas City, KS, the son of Charles and Anna (Wolters) Smarker. Richard was raised in Kansas City, KS and attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School and Wyandotte High School. Richard served in the United States Army 3 years during the Korean Conflict, joining in March 1958. He was employed with the US Postal Service for 40 years, retiring in 1992.

Richard is survived by his life-time partner, Pat Houk, where they resided in Springfield, MO since 1980. He also leaves his son, Kevin Smarker (Alana), grandson Lucas Smarker (Missy), and granddaughter Jessica Smarker. In addition, he leaves grandchildren: Beth Ann Smarker Fields (Shawn), Lindsay Smarker Svarczkopf (Nick), Laura Smarker Kelley (Zach), and Jacob Smarker (Bethany), a host of great-grandchildren, his brother, Albert Smarker, and daughter-in-law, Denise Smarker. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Francis Smarker, Jr., Charles Smarker, and Donald Smarker, and his son, Richard Smarker, Jr.

A visitation for Richard will be Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 11am to Noon at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home. He will be escorted by the Warriors Watch Riders to Missouri Veteran's Cemetery following the visitation, where a short service and military honors will be given at 1pm.