Rick Montelle Smith

Rick M. Smith, 71, beloved husband, father, friend and musician, who will be deeply missed by all who knew him, departed on June 6, 2024. Rick was born on September 21, 1952, in Paris, IL to Byron and Jewel Smith. Rick started playing the guitar at the age of ten and he quickly developed a passion for it. By the time he was a teenager, Rick helped found his first band and by 1966, Rick was playing professionally.

He went on to attend Southern Illinois University where he continued to play in bands throughout college and where he met his future wife Jeannie at the college’s snack bar where they both worked. After graduation in 1975, with a degree in Mathematics, he moved to Peoria, IL where he worked for Caterpillar Tractor Co. for almost 10 years. Rick and Jeannie married on July 13, 1979, and had 2 daughters. Rick then moved his family to San Antonio, TX where he worked at Valero Energy Corp. for 35 years. Throughout his career, he was known for his hard work, dedication, and sense of humor.

Rick spent his weekends playing at various gigs around Texas. He joined his fellow musicians and bands in multiple genres of music, but his real love was classic rock. His most recent band, RXS, was a dedication to all that he had learned musically over his 60+ years of playing guitar.

In his free time, not spent on his music, Rick enjoyed reading science fiction and fantasy novels, and was always up for playing a good RPG video game or watching a movie with his family. He was often found helping his grandkids with their math and science homework.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Jeannie Smith, his children, Melissa Arispe and husband Chris, Erica Smith, and his grandchildren, Alexis and Ricky Smith.

A funeral service celebrating Rick’s life and music will be held for family and friends on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 11am, visitation for friends beginning at 10am. Services will be held at Porter Loring North with a graveside service to follow at Mission Park North Cemetery.