Ronald H. Smith

Ronald H. Smith, 77 of Vanderbilt, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2018 at Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital. Born in Detroit on July 28, 1941, Ron was the son of Henry Finn and Beatrice Elsie (Waynick) Smith.

Ron spent much of his youth in Ypsilanti and was a 1959 graduate of Ypsilanti High School.  After living in Toledo and Chicago for a time, Ron settled in Livonia and Garden City for many years.  He worked in residential and commercial construction in Ohio and Illinois before settling in southeast Michigan where he was the owner of R.H. Smith Company for 20 years.  After retiring, Ron and his wife, Jackie, moved to Vanderbilt in 2005. Ron was an avid outdoorsman.  He became a certified scuba diving instructor after high school and spent over 25 years teaching and exploring the wildlife and wrecks of the oceans and the great lakes.  He also enjoyed cross country skiing, backpacking and rock climbing.  Ron lived a full life that left him with many fond memories and stories to share with friends and family.  He was an active member of the Wolverine Congregational Church where he was involved in services and building maintenance.

Surviving is his wife, Jacqueline “Jackie”, whom he married on June 24, 1995 in Plymouth; his children, Jeffrey (Ellen) Smith of Garden City and Jennifer Smith of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, Emily (Brandon) Gray, Kyle Smith, Grace Wrzesinski, and Sophia Wrzesinski; Jackie’s children, Maria (Brian) Vick of Langley, WA, Angella Contreras of Oak Harbor, WA, and Carmelita (Shibu) Samuel of Rochester Hills; step grandchildren, Willow Vick, Raven Vick, Kiara Contreras, Jacqueline Contreras, Xavier Samuel and Kennedy Samuel; a brother, Jonathan; sisters, Pamela, Cynthia and Kelly (Jeffrey) West; and several nieces and nephews.

Ron’s family will visit with friends from 2:00-8:00 PM Thursday, December 20, 2018 at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Friday, December 21, 2018 at the Wolverine Congregational Church where visitation will begin at 11:00 AM.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Otsego County Animal Shelter.  Please share your memories and personal messages with Ron’s family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com