Richard Paul Smith, 89, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin. Richard was born on June 28, 1934, in Dade County, Missouri, to Carl and Ruby Smith. Richard worked on several different farms in his teenage years, then at 18 years old started working at Steadley Manufacturing where he retired after 44 years. His favorite pastime was to rebuild and repair cars and other projects. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting, and has many coon hunting trophies including a 3rd place trophy at the world championship.
Richard was united in marriage to Sally Wine on August 26, 1955, at the First Christian Church in Carthage. They spent 68 wonderful and loving years together; she survives.
Along with his wife, Sally Smith, he is survived by one son, Paul Smith (Cyndi) of Carthage; two daughters, Sharon Logan (Sam) of Mount Vernon, and Karen Keeler (Kenny) of Wichita, Kansas; one sister Janice Smith from Greenfield, Missouri; and grandchildren Ben, Chris, Tammy, Jeremy, Jessica, Jeremy, Adam, Landon, Whitney, Wesley; 31 great grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Danny Smith; three brothers, Robert Smith, Kenneth Smith, and Donald Smith; one sister Evelyn Vaughn.
A funeral service will be held for Richard at 2:00 PM on Monday, September 25, 2023, at Ulmer Funeral Home. The visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on Monday, September 25, 2023, prior to the service, at Ulmer Funeral Home. The burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Carthage, immediately following the service.
Condolences may be made online at www.ulmerfh.com. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.
