Raymond Smiley

Ray was born to John and Gladys Smiley on May 1, 1934. As Ray grew older, he would tell people that three famous people were born in Kingsland, Arkansas: Bear Bryant, Johnny Cash, and Ray Smiley.

Graduating from Camden High School in 1953, Raymond enlisted in the United States Marines and served from 1954-56. He often said he did a good job protecting Waikiki Beach. He was offered an opportunity by the Marines for officer training but elected instead to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University.

He married Bobbie Rudd in 1961, and they moved to Houston, Texas. Together they raised two children, Gina and Jill. He had an immense joy of raising his girls and taking them on vacations and to Astros games. He loved riding roller coasters with his grandchildren and would have tried going down a water slide with his great grandchildren if not prevented by family.

Ray also enjoyed loving and supporting his church family. He served as an elder of Southeast Church of Christ for nearly a decade and taught Bible classes for many years as well. He would hand write his Bible lessons with the same pencil he used for work calculations.

A chemical engineer for forty years, he was involved with companies making crosslinked polyethylene (PEX), used today for water, electrical, and medical devices. Outside of work, Ray was a pro at fixing things he or others had broken. He loved musicals, opera, classical, and doo-wop. He was a lifetime learner and constant reader of novels, theology, and history.

Ray is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bobbie Smiley, of Houston, Texas, his daughter, Gina McMahon of Houston, Texas, his daughter Jill Taylor (Greg) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and his sister Mary Riley, of Houston, Texas. He also leaves his five grandchildren, Brianna McMahon, Matthew McMahon (Natalie), Ashley Taylor (Laural), Anna Sexton (Brendan), and Jacob Taylor (Sidney), as well as three great grandchildren, Finley, Micah, and Samuel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John, and by his two sisters Virginia and Bobbie.

Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025, 11:00 am at Southeast Church of Christ in Friendswood, Texas. A family only service will follow at Forest Lawn Chapel. Greg Taylor to officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the non-profit, “Hope for Haiti’s Children.”