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Ronald Smith Obituary - Anaheim, CA (1929-2021)

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High Temperature Graphite Ronald Huber Smith came into the world on November 15th, 1929… the son of Rook and Mary Smith in Mont Alto, PA. He left this world and entered heaven on April 8th, 2021. His faith and trust got him through the struggles of growing older. He was ready to meet God and be reunited with those already in heaven. Ron met the love of his life Joan Moyer (Joni) when they were teens. They married on Sept. 1, 1951, at ages 17 and 21 just after she graduated high school and he graduated from Penn State University (Chemical Engineering). The family was completed with their son Kent and their daughter Cindy. Ron began his career with Union Carbide (19 years), then was the general manager for Electronite, and ultimately began his own business Graphite Machining which he ran until he was 81 years old. Many friends benefited from going to lunch with him and being asked “would you like to buy some graphite?”. Ron was an athlete he played semi-pro baseball with Nellie Fox and had offers from the Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Cubs however, he was underage and his father would have had to sign for him. He also was granted a scholarship to play baseball at Penn State and his father chose education over the big leagues. He was an avid golfer, played tennis, and played and coached the men’s church softball team. He loved the Angels and shared season tickets for many years. Although he never played the sport, he did enjoy going to the Duck’s hockey games. Ron was very musical he and his brother Barry sang in high school, and later he sang barbershop. He sang in the church choir for many years including duets with his daughter during Christmas cantatas. Many didn’t know he took lessons for years and played the piano beautifully. He and Joni loved dancing (and singing along) to the Big Bands. If you were lucky, he called and sang to you on your birthday. He was an Eagle Scout and bestowed that knowledge on his family during many camping trips they took over the years. He did acknowledge as he grew older his idea of camping was “an air-conditioned motel room with a color tv and remote”. Ron was over a 50-year member of the Hermon Masonic Lodge No. 6 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Ron was a godly man not perfect but demonstrated his faith and love of the Lord in many ways. He helped Joni with youth group activities, taught Sunday school, led Bible studies, and for many years was active in the Santa Ana Christian Business Men’s Committee (CBMC) as an active member and served as the treasurer for many years. First and foremost, Ron was a family man. He lost his first and only love Joni in 1990. He never remarried as he felt it was a betrayal to their love. He loved his whole family: his son Kent, daughter-in-law Mary and their 2 sons; his daughter Cindy; his oldest grandson Matthew (Jenny) and their children Camryn and Landon; his youngest grandson Kyle and his children Abbigail and Maisie Rose; his younger twin brothers Jeff (Rita) and Greg (Karen) and all of his extended family. Ron was predeceased by his parents Rook and Mary Smith, his loving wife Joni, his brother Barry, and his great-granddaughter Camryn. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 1st at 3:00 p.m. at Calvary Church of Santa Ana (1010 N. Tustin Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92705). Please wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt/outfit. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Christian Business Men’s Committee (CBMC) of Santa Ana or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.