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BORN
1941
DIED
2023
Raymond Smith Obituary
January 10, 1941 - July 5, 2023
San Luis Obispo, California - Raymond Smith, Open Spirited Engineer, Realtor, Horseman and Car Aficionado Passed July 5, 2023
If you hadn't known Raymond Smith, you missed a lot. He was by far life's most wonderful man; friendly, open spirited and sincere. He was born in Los Angeles in 1941. He attended Los Angeles High School where he was an outstanding member of the swim team. Swimming was his passion; a love he carried into his 70's when he was ranked #7 in US Masters freestyle. He loved jazz and cars. As a Cal Poly Pomona graduate, he worked for years at Martin Marietta and Lockheed Martin as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry. He and his wife Cathy (now deceased) owned Sun King Farms in Arroyo Grande where they raised Arabian horses. After retiring from engineering, he became a realtor and specialized in ranch and horse properties. As an engineer he was relaxed and friendly and as a realtor he was well known throughout the county as fair, helpful and trustworthy.
He is survived by his sisters Doretta Zemp of Long Beach, CA and Fritzi Holmes of Marco Island, FL; nieces Simone Concoff, Karin Daley, Heather Holmes Goldstein and Galen Holmes; and nephews Scott Daley and Nathan Holmes.
Before his passing, his sister, Doretta Zemp, presented him with this poem:
I REMEMBER
I remember you as a smart and active young boy.
I remember you as a teen who had an MG as a toy.
I remember you as an athlete ready for a game.
I remember you as an engineer using his brain.
I remember how friends love you and stick by you like glue and you for them with no end.
I remember you as my amazingly wonderful brother and best-loved best friend.
Please join his friends and family for a Celebration of Life, 1-4pm, August 11, 2023 at the United Church of Christ, 11245 Los Osos Valley Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to SLO Village: https://www.slovillage.org/donate.html - an organization near and dear to Ray's heart.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Smith
1 Entry
Claire Vollmer
August 4, 2023
Thank you for sharing that lovely video. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Raymond for many years in Arroyo Grande. He was always upbeat and fun to be around... and usually, with something interesting to share. Cheers to a life well-lived
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