Roll Call Tribute

Ronald Dean "Ron" Smith 

June 23, 1939 - August 22, 2024 

Ronald Dean Smith, (85), passed away Thursday, August 22, 2024, while being comforted by his family. He was born June 23, 1939 in Raymondville, Texas to William Henry (Smitty) and Marie Smith. Ron is survived by his wife of 62 years, Irene; his daughter Kathy and her husband Brent, his son Mark and his wife Carolyn. He is also survived by his three granddaughters, the lights of his life: Ariel and her husband Nico, Allison and her husband Brendan, and Emily; as well as his sisters, Patsy Godwin, Debby Womack and brother Alan Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ron graduated from Harlingen High School and attended Texas A&M University, SMU and the University of Houston majoring in Electrical Engineering and Physics.

His unexpected career path focused on missile defense and rocket sciences. During his three years in the US Army at White Sands Missile Range, he was active in the Nike Hercules Missile Defense program. After the Army, his work included engineering and developing integrated circuits (nano-circuits) for the Minuteman ICBM missile systems at Texas Instruments in Dallas. He ended his career with 40 years in the space program at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston where he retired as a Program Manager.

For nearly 40 years he was an avid runner, participating in countless local races and working out in the gym each day. He and Irene loved the Concerts in the Park all the years they lived in Friendswood.

One of his greatest joys in life was being active in the Sagemont Church as an usher, Sunday School class outreach ministry leader, Bible study student, a deacon for a short time, and as a volunteer in many of the church activities and events.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at 3:00 pm on August 31, 2024 at the Sagemont Church Beltway Chapel 11300 S. Sam Houston Pkwy E, Houston, TX 77089.