Dick Smith, 87 of Rockwall passed away Saturday, August 31, 2019. He was born July 29, 1932, in Dallas to Robert G. Smith and Theda Balcome Smith.
Dick graduated from Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, OK, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout during his school years and later studied Engineering and Music at “The Oklahoma State University” located in Stillwater, OK. It was in the music department where he met and courted Norma Jean Collyar. He married Norma Jean on December 23, 1953, in Stillwater, OK. In addition to his bride, Dick had many loves, most notably Model Airplanes, but also playing the piano and singing. Norma Jean’s educational background was in music, so between the two of them, there was always music, piano playing and singing in their home. He took great pride in his home, always making home improvements, room renovations and working in the yard. He enjoyed building model airplanes from the age of 12, football, fishing, camping, opera, playing cards, especially Bridge, as long as the other players were experienced Bridge players.
Dick was a mentor and was always willing to offer singing, automotive, appliance, home repair, and career advice to those who would ask and listen. His children generally left the room or covered their ears at the start of sporting events due to his very vocal critiques of the singer’s interpretation of the National Anthem. He was recognized as an operatic tenor, studying music at Oklahoma State, Evansville, IN, singing in Central City, CO, and the Armed Services choir. Most of all he loved his Lord and Savior, and his family. Dick took care of his beloved Norma Jean up until her death in 2007. He was of the Presbyterian faith, and a member of Sertoma International, Society of Automotive Engineers and several free-flight model airplane clubs such as The Tulsa Glue Dobbers, The Central Ohio Free-Flight Club and most recently, The Texas Cloud Climbers. Dick served his country in the US Army during the Korean War.
In addition to Norma Jean, he is also preceded in death by two of his daughters, Deborah Lynn Smith in 2009 and Diana Kay Smith in 2015.
Surviving are his daughter, Kimberly Ann Smith of Colorado Springs, CO; son, Richard E. (Rick) Smith and wife Betty Louise of Royse City, TX.; 3 grandchildren, J.B. Herbst of Alexandria, LA, Libby Smith of Dallas and Jacob Smith and wife Rachael of Tulsa, OK; 4 great-grandchildren, Amelia Smith, Declan Smith, Isaac Herbst and Bryan Herbst; and one brother, Sam Smith of Bixby, OK.
A Celebration of Dick’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at Reflections Chapel at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rockwall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Academy of Model Aeronautics Scholarship Fund (http://amafoundation.modelaircraft.org/scholarships).
