Ronald Kenneth Smith

Ronald Kenneth Smith of Cook Station, MO was born on Friday, June 30, 1939, in St. Louis, MO to Orville Kenneth Smith and Loretta Frahm Smith.  He passed away Friday, June 4, 2021, at his residence at the age of 81 years, 11 months, and 5 days.

He grew up in the St. Louis area and attended Fairview High School in Jennings, MO.  He served his country honorably for two years in the US Navy aboard the USS Forrestal Aircraft Carrier.  He then returned home and married the love of his life Janet Sue Riepl at Faith Salem Church in Jennings, MO on April 29, 1961.  To this union, three children were born. 

Ron worked as a salesman for many years for Safe Business Systems. He was involved in office ergonomics, the design of a safe and comfortable work environment.  He even owned his own business for a few years. He loved hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.  He had a passion for playing golf and acting.  He performed in two productions, The Mouse Trap and Inherit the Wind in Kirkwood, MO.  He was a gifted storyteller and comedian.  He could mimic any dialect and tell the best jokes.  He and Janet were involved in the PTA when their children were young.  They enjoyed writing and acting in plays that were put on to raise money for the school. 

He spent time tinkering around his farm, doing “fixer upper” type maintenance jobs.  It was a family joke that he could fix most things with duct tape and drywall screws.  

He was preceded in death by his parents Orville “Kenneth” and Loretta Smith; parents-in-law Joseph and Ruth Riepl; sister Shirley (Lou) Farnsworth; and nephew Keith Farnsworth.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Janet Sue Riepl Smith; son Greg (Kitty) Smith of Cook Station, MO; daughters Stacy (Chris) Brunner of Kansas City, MO and Catie (Brian) Knoerle of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren Kelsy (Brian) Decker of St. Louis, MO, Jake Lybarger, Nick Lybarger both of Kansas City, MO, Grace Lybarger of Gunnison, CO, Luke Knoerle  and Austin Knoerle both of St. Louis, MO; great grandchildren Hannah Decker and Joshua Otto Decker both of St. Louis, MO; brother Timothy Smith of St. Louis, MO; brother-in-law Gary (Barb) Riepl of St. Louis, MO; nieces Denise Farnsworth and Susan (John) Moreno all of St. Louis, MO; nephews Lonnie Farnsworth, John Riepl, and David (Betsy) Riepl all of St. Louis, MO; other relatives, cousins, and many friends.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at First Presbyterian Church in Cuba, MO.  The Celebration of Life Service will immediately follow at 2:00 PM with Bro. Gene Roark officiating. A private inurnment will be at Carr Cemetery, Cook Station, MO, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children – St. Louis.

All arrangements under the care of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.

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