Obituary of Raymond Lee Smith

Raymond Smith of Tucson passed away peacefully Aug. 21 at age 92 after a brief illness. A devoted husband and father, Ray was born in Kansas and grew up in Iowa. He served as a military policeman in World War II, and worked for 30 years at Oscar Mayer in Davenport, IA. He retired to Arizona, where he enjoyed years of bingo, shopping and driving his pristine Buick. Preceding Ray in death were his parents Calvin and Clara Smith, brothers Cecil and Cletis, sisters Gladys Schmielau and Vera Scanlon, son Mark Smith of Tucson, and grandson Joey of Tempe. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Venita, of Tucson; son Michael (Patricia) Smith of Tempe; daughter Deborah (Patrick) Larson of Maple Grove, MN; daughter-in-law Ginny Smith of Tucson; sister Nadine Boll and nephew Paul Scanlon of St. Petersburg, FL; and sister-in-law Evelyn Lower of Milan, IL. Also grandchildren Jason (Leanne) Larson, Gregory (Emily) Larson, and Christopher and Holly Smith; and great-grandchildren Jaidyn, Jillian and Liam Larson. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Groves Assisted Living and Casa de la Luz Hospice for their loving care. Services will be held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Tucson at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug 25, with visitation at the church one hour before Mass. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Davenport at a later date.