Classmates in Memory

Ron Smith

Ronald Gene Smith
04/17/1947 - 07/01/2018
Anchorage, Alaska

Ronald G. “Ron” Smith, 71, a longtime resident of Alaska, passed peacefully on July 1st, 2018, in Anchorage after battling cancer for almost a year.

Ron was born in Dallas, Texas, to George and Lelia Smith and was the oldest of three brothers.

After graduating from Sunset High School in Dallas in 1965, he attended college briefly before enlisting in the Marine Corps. He was a Marine from 1966-1968 earning the MOS 2815 and was stationed with the 2nd Marine Division.

Ron came to Alaska in the mid-70’s where he worked in the oil patch for Schlumberger.   Following his work there, he became self-employed, operating a six-pack charter with his friend in Homer, and eventually building his contracting business, Smith Cable Systems.  Ron designed and built cable systems in villages and camps throughout the state through the 80’s, training residents on maintenance of their systems and creating methods so the trained residents could troubleshoot any problems over the phone with him.  His business continued to grow through the years, providing a variety of services to businesses and utilities throughout the state and employing many good people, some learning skills that they continue to grow on years later.

Ron had a great love for Alaska and sharing the joys, and adventures, of it. He helped chaperone youth groups on camping trips.  While camping near Denali with his mother, she stepped out of the van one morning and just missed a ‘gift’ left by a nocturnal bear visitor.  He took his mother-in-law to the Arctic Circle and Jakolof Bay.  He took his people on hunting, fishing, rafting and dipnetting trips.  Ron had a great love of life and a gift of sharing those things he loved.

Ron also loved to travel and discover new places and adventures. With his wife, Jean, he travelled to California, Hawaii, Mexico, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, St Thomas USVI, Texas, Washington, and of course around Alaska.  They could generally be found off the beaten path exploring, sailing, in the water, in museums, discovering new foods, meeting new people and always loving their lives together.

Ron was preceded in death by his father, George Smith and his mother, Lelia Smith.

Ron is survived by his wife, Jean Moran of Anchorage; brothers, George Smith and Alan Smith of Grand Prairie, TX; brothers-in-law, Tim Ferlen of Bloomington, MN and Paul Gorski of Raleigh, NC; nephews, Chris (Amber) Gorski and Philip (Katie) Gorski of Raleigh, NC; niece, Stephanie Gorski of Marshall, TX, cousins, and friends – all who he loved dearly and held close in his heart.

We want to extend our gratitude to Dr Liu, PA Jeremy, PA Pam and everyone at Alaska Oncology for helping us through this journey. The knowledge, caring and personality of AO made Ron’s trips there comfortable and we always knew that Ron was well cared for.

There will be a celebration of life and, true to Ron’s desires, it will be after the Kenai and Kasilof dipnetting seasons are over. Ron loved dipnetting, especially sharing the experience with friends, on the bank or in his boat and would never want that interrupted.

 



 
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07/08/18 05:27 PM #1    

Celia (CeCe) Hopkins (Edwards) (Stockard/Kimball)

Ronnie was a great guy, he and a boy, Barry would walk me home from school sometimes in the 1st grade, Miss Tarvers class at George Peabody.  He came to a few of my birthday parties and have those pictures. He

was a very nice guy May you Rest In Peace, Ronnie , Celia Hopkins Edwarda 


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