Rick was special to me and supportive beyond words when he went with me to McAllen, Texas to help me close out my daughter's apartment after she died. She had recently taken a position on the McAllen newspaper as an editor. She once had been Rick's editor at the Standard Times. He and June also had been very dear friends of hers. Rick also was the person first to notify me of my daughter's very untimely and sudden death and help make arrangements for her return to San Angelo. I was working on my daughter's house preparing it for sale when Rick came there and personally broke that terrible news. He was a special friend of my daughter Diane Murray and his memory will always be special to me and my family. He wrote the most beautiful memorial in memory of her that was published in the Standard Times . Rick's memory will always be cherished by me and my family.
4
Rick was one of a kind, loved by everyone. My sisters and my childhood were intertwined with the Smith boys. So many great memories of looking at Christmas lights, ASU lake house and fun times at Doc & Janie’s house. And I so loved reading his articles in the paper! My heart is breaking for June, Kate, Annie, Gary and Mike.
2
June, I was deeply saddened to hear of Rick's passing. Rick and I both started to work in the sports department at the Standard-Times in the 1970s. I had no idea what I was getting into as a timid 16-year-old high school student, not to mention that I was a girl! Rick told me stories about the sportswriters’ antics, which always seemed to involve misusing things like typewriters, telephones, trash cans, and staff cars. I never witnessed anything first-hand, but Rick made the stories come alive. Rick, Krug, Jack, Roy, Frank, Gilbert, and Gary felt more like brothers to me than co-workers. I’m grateful for the memories.
5
Dear Anne, Kate and Mrs. Smith,
Please accept our sincerest condolences for your loss. Mr. Smith will truly be missed. We will be holding you and your family in our prayers. May strength be yours.
Regards,
Sudhir, Sudha, Shiv, and Kiran Chawla
2
I had the great privilege of working with Rick at the Standard-Times. Rick, along with Candace Cooksey Fulton, were tremendous mentors to those of us lucky enough to sit in their pod. My heart breaks for June and the girls and his brother Gary -- I am so sorry for your loss. ❤🙏
2
June, I am so very sorry for your loss. May wonderful memories of a life well lived provide peace and comfort in the coming days.
2
June and all the Smiths, my heart is broken at the loss of Rick, but that grief has been happening for a while. Even to think of his incredible wit as a wordsmith being stolen from him seems an incredible cruelty. I dug through a cabinet full of old photos, kid art and greeting cards last night to find the box of memorabilia from high school and college. I needed to see that Rick scrawl, and was rewarded with both printing and handwriting. Who but Rick would take a red ball point pen and turn his graduation invitation into a tourist map of the highlights of the campus? And the handcrafted card featuring the inverted pyramid (what would Ed Cole think of this?) was a piece of collage art I really wish I had framed, for it is very fragile now, almost 50 years later. I always admired his unique way of turning a phrase upside down and wrong side out, On one of the rare times I was in the Ram Page room when it was time to put the paper together, I was blown away to witness how he could very quickly write a headline that would fit but also have a hilarious pun. He challenged me to a headline writing race and left me in the dust! I loved that about him. What a hilarious guy! And so adventurous. Way more adventurous than me! And I admired that, too. Where did time go? Memories of fun with him and our mutual friends are among the brightest and best of my youth. I am so sorry to think he is gone. Hugs to all the Smiths.. You are all the best of the best.
2
June, I have very few regrets over our time as undergrads at ASU but one is that I graduated before being able to participate in Sideshow. You and Rick are prime examples of how the heart does go on. Many thanks to Gary for the social media updates and I hope we can meet someday.
2
so sorry for y'alls loss. I would always read Rick's page every time. He will be missed by so many people. He has touched a lot of people's hearts. Sending prayers to his family & friends. God bless the family.
3
I am heartsick to know that such a good man is gone at too young an age. Many of my best memories in life include Rick. I send my love and prayers to June and her daughters.
2
I feel such sadness that we've lost one of the nicest, most creative people I ever met. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. I picture Rick with his words back. Writing stories about his walks in heaven, seeing family, friends, animals he helped rescue, and fields and fields of Bluebonnets.
2
June, you and your children have my heart felt sympathy. I have many great memories of you both.
2
Rest in peace sweet Ricky. The world is a little duller with your loss. My deepest condolences to you, June, and the girls. I know you loved him very well through these difficult last years. Peace be with all of you. Fondly, Carol Finney (formerly O’Neil).
2
I was fortunate to get to know Rick and June through their daughters. I was their fifth grade teacher. Annie and Kate I am so sorry for your loss but I am grateful that you had such a wonderful man to guide you in this world!
2
Rick brightened the lives of everyone who knew him. It seems like just yesterday that I read his columns in the Ram Page, and I still have great memories of all those super competitive monopoly games with he, Gary and others. You truly are an angel, June. My thoughts are with you and your family.
2
My heart and prayers go out to Ricky's family. I was a classmate of Rick (Ricky). He had such a great sense of humor. It's a miracle we didn't get thrown out of Spanish lab in junior high. Rick spread so much kindness, joy and wonder through his writings and I know he will be greatly missed.
2
I was there only a couple years before moving on, but I was lucky to be floating in the outer orbit of the Smiths briefly. As a co-worker; as a garage apartment tenant. They were welcoming, and they exemplified graciousness. (I still remember how June ooh'd and aah'd over the souvenir chocolate treat I brought during a visit from San Francisco, marveling at it to the point of embarrassing me. I don't know why that sticks out in my memories, but it does.)
It is the cruelest disease that robbed Rick of his most precious tool, his words. Lucky for the world, he left us with more than 40 years of words. But to me, his legacy is surely left in the incredibly loving, supportive community of family and friends, co-workers and compadres that Rick and June have built.
It is with that same welcoming graciousness I am grateful they created this page to share Rick's life (and passing) with everyone. The brief window into the final moments spent surrounded by his family is comforting. Thank you for sharing Rick with the world.
3
I’m so very sorry for your loss. The good ones are the hardest to let go. My thoughts and prayers go to your family!
-Jill, from Colorado
(Friend of Gary and Mo who loved hearing Gary share all his incredible stories of Rick)
2
Deep peace for the family. My subscription to my small town paper is due - it’s being made in his honor.
Brenda and Christopher in Michigan
(Friends of Gary and Mandy)
2
Dear June and Kate- Sending you both a BiG hug along with my sincere condolences to you and your family through this hard time! Love you both! Wrennah Gabbert ❤️🌟💕
2
1996, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, State Highway Park Road 5, Canyon, TX, USA
3
2017, San Angelo, TX, USA
2
Fort Concho Museum, South Oakes Street, San Angelo, TX, USA
2
Rick was a beautiful human being. I’m so sorry for the loss to the Smith family and the world.
2
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