Richard LaFond Smith (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Richard LaFond Smith, son of Novey Allen (Pointer) Smith and Opal C. Vandergriff Smith, was born March 21, 1934, in Stoutland, Missouri. He departed this life Sunday, April 14, 2019, in his home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-five years, and twenty-four days.
On August 26, 1956, he was united in marriage to Shirley Irene Vohl, and to this union one son was born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley, on January 26, 2016; two brothers; and a sister, Carol Mickleboro.
Richard is survived by a son, Nelson Lee Smith, and his wife, Patricia Collins, of Jacksonville, Florida; three grandchildren, Nicole, Karen, and Stephanie; four great-grandchildren, Ava, Tyler, James, Jonahh, and one more eagerly anticipated to arrive soon; several nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in the Stoutland community, and graduated from Stoutland High School. He played on the high school basketball team that went to state playoffs. He served in the United States Air Force for four years, and was stationed in Korea for part of that time. He then attended Missouri Science and Technology University, formerly Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, where he earned his degree in electrical engineering. Upon graduation, he began working in the aerospace field and worked on the Apollo, Galileo, Voyager, and Cassini space missions. During those years, he made his home in California. He and Shirley retired and moved back to the Stoutland, Missouri area in 1998.
He was very proud of his career and the work he had done. He enjoyed keeping up and visiting with some of his high school friends. He was a kind hearted gentleman who was always generous. He loved his 1965 GTO, which he purchased new. His family was very dear to him and he also enjoyed spending time with some of his extended family and cousins.
Richard was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his lifetime.
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