Ronald Lee Smith

He was born to John and Johanna Smith and had two brothers where he grew up in the Byron Center area on a farm. After school, he enlisted in the United States Army where he was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. He also married the love his life, Marilyn, in October of 1955. They resided in Byron Center their entire married life and raised their four children. Ron loved his church family and attended Byron Center First CRC his entire life, from when he was an infant. He actively served in many areas and, as he shared, had the very best church family.

Ron absolutely loved trapping, fishing, hunting, and gardening. He spent hours outside and taught his children well about God's creation and taking care of it.

Ron was also very proud of his job in Quality Control at Keeler Brass, where he retired after 45 years. After retiring, he was able to travel with Marilyn and spend a month in Alaska, where he wanted to visit after serving there in the Army. He also built a cabin up north and spent his weekends there to enjoy the quiet and fishing and hunting.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marilyn; parents John and Johanna; brother and sister-in-law, Carl and Gert Smith; many of Mom's siblings of the DeVries family; daughter-in-law, Dawn; and one granddaughter, Katie.

He is lovingly survived by his children Gary and Debi Smith of Pisgah Forest, N.C., Jerald and Lori Smith of Wellston, MI, Don and Nancy Smith of Wayland, MI, and Brenda and Bill Schreur of Lowell, MI; 25 grandchildren Jason Smith, Jenelle Smith, John and Amanda Smith, Holly and Hunter Engel, Henry and Sue Smith Lejune, Travis and Margaret Smith, Lacey and Jonah Hoezee, Tony and Skylar Smith, Tanner and Tori Smith, Toby Smith, Joe and Melissa Schreur, Bob and Kira Schreur, Emily and Peter Anderson, Rebecca and Josh Slater; 21 great-grandchildren Malachai, Bayley, Cheyenne, Brody, Payton, Riley, Drake, Kinsley, Ellery, Wesley, Reed, Wyatt, Remi, Liam, Easton, Emerson, Annabelle, Bridgette, Joel, Levi, and Jonathan; in-laws Jean VanKoevering, Sherwin and Donna DeVries, Marvin and Donna DeVries, Ken and Carol Smith; along with several special nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Ron will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2026 at Cook Funeral Home - Byron Center Chapel, 2067 84th St. SW, Byron Center, Michigan 49315. A funeral service will commence 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14 at First Byron CRC, 8541 Byron Center Ave. SW, Byron Center, MI, with visitation one hour prior and a luncheon to follow. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in their online guestbook.