Raymond Edward Smith

When Ray had served God's purpose in his own generation he went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 25, 2022, in Newton, Kansas.

Ray's life began on September 6, 1931, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Clifford and Emilie (Multhaupt) Smith. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1949. Upon graduation, he worked for Consumers Power Company (now Consumers Energy) for one year before being drafted into the Army. He served his two years during the Korean Conflict primarily at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in the US Army 82nd Airborne. Upon his discharge he returned to his job at Consumers and completed 40 years there before retirement.

On July 31, 1954, he was united in marriage to Mable (Newman) Smith, who survives. He was a loving and devoted husband to her all the rest of his life. He was a dedicated father to their children, Doug (Margie) Smith of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Ellen (Joe) Rohl of Peabody, Kansas. Ray and Mable were also "American Parents" to former international students Federico (Michele) Sanchez of Sterling Heights, Michigan and Gaspar Obaya of Valencia, Spain, both originally from Venezuela; and Masako (DeWayne) Sekiguchi-Cox of Japan.

Ray was a loving grandfather to his grandchildren, Lauren (Chris) Smith, of Waterloo, Iowa, Matthew (Anne) Smith of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Elena (Alex) Smith of Port Hadlock, Washington, and Jase Rohl of Peabody, Kansas. His "Venezuelan grandchildren," Ben (Aimee), Ryan, and Nathan (Tia) Sanchez were also very special to him, along with 4 additional international grandchildren.

Ray was an active and loyal member of Calvary Bible Church. His faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom he came to know personally as a young boy, was the most important part of his life. Ray had a heart sensitive to people and their needs, and he was always willing to help anyone that he could. He especially loved being around children and interacting with them. He enjoyed golf, bowling, woodworking, traveling, going to church, and spending time with his family and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Geraldine Sage, his brother, Eugene Smith, and an infant grandson, baby Rohl. His sister Mary Brown of Richland, Michigan, brother James (Felicia) Smith of Paw Paw, Michigan, and sister-in-law Betty (Melvin) Brown survive, along with loving nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 5pm Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S. 9th St, Kalamazoo MI 49009. Committal service with military honors will be held at 10:30am Monday, April 4, 2022, at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Those wishing to attend should be in the cemetery assembly area by 10:15am. A memorial service will be held at 12:30pm on Monday, April 4, 2022, at Calvary Bible Church, 855 S. Drake Rd. with Pastor Jeff Whitaker, officiating. Ray's family will greet guests following the service during a light reception at church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Ray's memory to Youth for Christ or Calvary Bible Church.

"We are confident, yes, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8

To view Ray's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com