Racine – Richard Ray Smith, 29, died in the early morning of Friday, July 6, 2007 as the result of an automobile accident. He was born in Skokie, Illinois on April 25, 1978, the son of Eddie Ray and Pamela Kay (nee: Sinner) Smith. Most of his life he had lived in Kenosha. Richie attended Curtis Strange Elementary, Bullen Jr High, and he graduated from Bradford High School in 1996. He received his ASE technical certification from the Universal Technical Institute in Glendale IL and was employed by SDR Transmissions for the last 7 years. He enjoyed life and all that it offered. Cars, motorcycles and anything with an engine were his hobby. He especially enjoyed his ’69 Mustang that he had modified and nicknamed “his wife”. He enjoyed showing her at car shows where he won many awards and certificates. He was a member in good standing with the Midwest Street Machine Association. His family and friends were very important to him and he will be missed by the many people whose life’s he touched. He is survived by his parents, Eddie and Pamela Smith of Somers; sister, Jennifer Smith of Somers; half sister, Lynn (Bill) Pertler of Richmond, Illinois; half-brothers, Eddie Smith, Jr. and Kevin Smith both of Wonder Lake, Illinois; as well as many other relatives and very good friends. He was preceded by his paternal grandparents, Henry and Esther Smith; and maternal grandparents, Richard and Evelyn Sinner. A service of remembrance will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation hours are from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Jeff Wisecup says
Words cannot describe how I felt when I heard about Richie,..cried and still crying, Gonna miss you buddy,….and you’ll always be in my heart forever.
Allison Roth says
My thoughts and prayers are with richie’s family and friends…He will be missed by so many.
Amy Moravec says
Sending my Condolences to Richard R. ���Richie� Smith family and loved ones.
He will live on in the hearts of everyone who loved him.
Sorry for your loss.
Sincerly,
John Hamlet Sister in law
Amy
Kara Malacara-Strupp says
My condolences go out to the family in the loss of Richie.
Kenny & Pat Braun says
Our hearts go out to you Pam & Eddie. We will never forget Richie and he will always be with us.
We miss and Love you guys.
Kenny & Pat
Thomas and Vikki Wendling says
Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Richy was a great guy!!!
Tom new Richy from Irving Polishing..
May god be with you all…
Love Tom and Vikki Wendling
Katy Johnson (Salerno) says
You will be missed, dearly. Thanks for always being the shoulder that everyone could cry on and talk to. You will be remembered as one of a kind. Go FORDS!! God Bless.
Joe Junkel says
I was sadened to hear that Rich had passed away. I was always an acquaintance since Bullen Jr. High. The few minutes of conversation we would have when I was back in Kenosha at Denny’s Den visiting will be missed. More importantly, he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends….
Joe Junkel
Tommy Russo says
Eddie, Pam and Family, My deepest sympathy for your loss.
Jaime Falke says
Iam so sorry for your lose. I will always remember Richie as the cute little boy I babysat.I will miss him. Please try to keep his memory alive.I love you JAIME
Tiffany Werwie says
Richie will always be in my prayers and I will be missing my “big brother”. I will keep his family in my thoughts and heart always.
Bill & Linda Bridges says
Bridget Bennett says
I knew Richie by doing his home loan. He was always very nice and pleasant to deal with. He talked about his car that he loved. My thoughts are with all of his family and friends during this very hard time.
Jamie Lancour (Green) says
I remember when Richie was in Bradford’s Homecoming Parade with the Red Mustang. He was doing a smokin�۪ burnout and a cop came up alongside his car…Richie grabbed his license, stuck it out the window, and continued the burnout! Now that’s what I call living life to its fullest! If you knew Richie then you definitely knew the smell of burnt rubber!
When I heard about the accident, words cannot even begin to describe the way I felt and still feel today. I can�۪t shed enough tears to make this ok even though I know you and the mustang are in heaven burning rubber as we speak. Richie I�۪m gonna miss you and I want you to know that you will be in my heart always and forever! I will never forget you and all the good time we had!
Love J-me
Terry & Cheryl Fibish says
Ed & Pam Smith Family We are so very sorry to here about the loss of your son. No words can ever take your pain away. Terry was lucky enough to fish with him several years ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God Bless,
The Fibish’s
Josh Becker says
I remember when we went snowmobiling in Hurley with Richie. We had an awesome time. Richie was a great person and I will always miss him.
Megan McKeen says
It was devastating to hear about the loss of Richie. His personality, heart, and laugh will be remembered always and forever. My thoughts and prayers with the family and fellow friends.
Scott & Claudette Stears says
The Smith Family
Our deepest sympathies in your time of sorrow.
Ed – you are in my thoughts.
Scott
Alicia Maser (McBride) says
My deepest sympathies to the Smith Family.
Growing up with your family are some of my best childhood memories.
Becky Clemons (Prybylski) says
So sorry to hear about Richie.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
God bless
Margaret Pawlowski says
I am located in North Carolina at this time. I was reading the obituaries on the computer and noticed Richie’s name. I had him as a student at Curtis Strange. He was a very nice person. I remember him as a very happy smiling person. I am so sorry to have read about his death. Please accept my condolences.
Bruce Taylor says
On July 6th, 2007, upon hearing the roar of Richie’s 1969 Mustang, the Gates of Heaven opened. Richie smiled, pre staged. Full yellows on the Christmas Tree. Green. Gracefully, Richie throttles down the eternal quater mile.