This memorial website was created in memory of our beloved father, friend, and brother, Raymond Smith, 87, who was born on June 5, 1926 and passed away on November 11, 2013. We will miss him and remember him forever.

Ray was a businessman who worked in retail management for 18 years before changing directions and working in retail, industrial, and government sales, eventually founding his own company, Hillcrest Sales of Churchville, Maryland. He worked in retail management for the Woolworth stores in New York City, NY, and the Naval Ship's Store Offices in Bainbridge, Maryland. He worked in sales with his brother-in-law, Joseph Kelly, at Joe's Jo-Kell company in Virginia. 

More than being a businessman, however, he was a beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend, and husband to his wife Louise. He and Louise had seven children. And when his children were younger, he used to delight in seeing that his family took up nearly an entire pew a church. 

He was a wonderful storyteller. And a fun-loving dad and grandpa. Rupert, a fun-loving but mischievous fictitious imaginary squirrel, was one of his inventions. And when Ray and Lou's children, now grown, were small and growing up, Rupert was a permanent resident in the Smith home. Rupert had numerous adventures and misadventures and was the one who surely "must" have been responsible for whatever went wrong in the Smith household when no one else was claiming responsibility.

An ardent nature lover and adventurer, Ray used to delight in rock-hopping over the water in Deer Creek with his kids and later, grandkids, in what is now Susquehanna State Park in Havre de Grace, Maryland. He worked together with his wife, Louise, in maintaining the couple's fruit trees and also in maintaining what was arguably, one of the finest home vegetable gardens around.

After retirement, Ray was a well loved volunteer. Both individually, and together with his wife Louise, Ray provided countless volunteer hours for organizations in Harford County, Maryland. He taught computer classes for free at Harford Community College. He was a volunteer tax consultant for seniors. He visited with terminally ill patients and their families as a volunteer for Hospice of Harford County. A skilled carpenter and woodworker, he was also a longtime volunteer for Habitat For Humanity, which he considered a "home away from home".

Ray was an avid learner and reader, a talented writer and storyteller, an artist, and a gifted carpenter who designed and built his own home and much of the furniture in it. He was also a nature lover and conservationist, who enjoyed leading nature hikes together with Louise along the trails at Susquehanna State Park. He was happiest when surrounded by his family.

Ray was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Louise K Smith. He is survived by his seven children, Holly Smith of Newark, DE, Linda Smith of Durham, NC, Candy Tatem of Poolville, TX, Danita St. Clair of Roanoke, VA, Kathleen Jackman of Worcester, VT, Randy Smith, of Baltimore, MD, and Richard Smith, of Colora, MD. He is also survived by his brother, Bruce Smith, of Tampa, Florida, his daughter-in-law Barbara Smith, sons-in-law Gary Tatem and Tom Jackman, and his grandchildren: Kelly Gordon, Bryan Bailey, Kristyn Gerrol, Matthew Smith, Ryan Smith, and Stephanie Smith. 

As per his request, there will be no funeral for Ray. In place of a burial, Ray has elected to donate his body to be used for medical research. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that anyone who wishes to would give a gift to Habitat for Humanity of Harford County, Maryland.

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