Ray R. “Rick” Smith Jr., 63, Syracuse, passed away at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at his home. He was born on Jan. 2, 1955, in Heidelberg, Germany to Ray R. & Emma L. (Lehman) Smith Sr.

He grew up in Michigan, graduated from Waterford Kettering High School in Waterford, Mich., and attended Indiana Purdue University in Fort Wayne. He was United States Army veteran and was married on Jan. 18, 1975, in Pontiac, Mich. to Donya S. Nelson, who survives. He moved to Syracuse in 1987 from Three Rivers, Mich. and retired in 2008 from General Motors in Fort Wayne after 30 years of service.

He was a former member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Syracuse where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a black belt and member of Lions Academy Karate in North Webster.

He is survived by his wife; a daughter: Laura (Lance) Evans, Syracuse; two sons: Christopher (Nancy Norris) Smith, Ontario, Canada; and Marc (Mandy) Smith, Syracuse; eight grandchildren; four sisters: Robyn (Shannon) Pless, Florida; Connie (Pat) Landers, Idaho; Karen Morris, Idaho; Sharon Smith, Michigan; mother-in-law: Peggy Nelson; sister-in-law, Jill Nelson; two brothers-in-law, Greg and Kevin Nelson.

He was preceded by his parents; his father in law, Don Nelson; two brothers in law: Scott and Greg Nelson.

Visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. on Thursday in the funeral home with military services to follow. Cremation will take place at Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, 4356 N. SR 15, Warsaw.

Preferred memorials may be given to the donor’s choice.

To send condolences to the family in memory of Ray Smith Jr., please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com