Ray R. "Rick" Smith Jr.

Ray R. "Rick" Smith Jr., 63, of Syracuse, IN passed away at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at his home. He was born on January 2, 1955 in Heidelberg, Germany to Ray R. & Emma L. (Lehman) Smith Sr.

He grew up in Michigan, graduated from Waterford Kettering High School in Waterford, MI, and attended Indiana / Purdue University in Fort Wayne. He was United States Army veteran and was married on January 18, 1975 in Pontiac, MI to Donya S. Nelson who survives. He moved to Syracuse in 1987 from Three Rivers, MI and retired in 2008 from General Motors in Fort Wayne after 30 years of service.

He was a former member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Syracuse where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a black belt and member of Lions Academy Karate in North Webster.

He is survived by:

Wife – Donya Smith of Syracuse

Daughter – Laura (Lance) Evans of Syracuse

2 Sons – Christopher (Nancy Norris) Smith of Ontario, Canada & Marc (Mandy) Smith of Syracuse

8 Grandchildren

4 Sisters – Robyn (Shannon) Pless of Florida, Connie (Pat) Landers of Idaho, Karen Morris of Idaho, and Sharon Smith of Michigan

2 Brothers – Brian (Pam) Smith of Nebraska, & Joe (Diane) Smith of Michigan

Mother in law – Peggy Nelson

Sister in law – Jill Nelson

2 Brother in laws – Greg & Kevin Nelson

He was preceded in death by his parents, father in law - Don Nelson, and 2 brother in laws – Scott & Greg Nelson.

Visitation will be from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, IN. Funeral services will follow at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday in the funeral home with military services to follow. Cremation will take place at Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, 4356 N. St. Rd 15, Warsaw, IN.

Preferred memorials may be given to the donor’s choice.