Ralph Albert Smith

Ralph Albert Smith was born into this world in Los Angeles, Calif., on Aug. 7, 1937, and he transitioned from it in his Oceanside, Calif., home on Jan. 29, 2013. For the majority of his working life, Ralph owned and operated A&A Glass & Screen and the Economy Building Supply in Fontana, Calif. Later he and his wife owned Smith's Real Estate Investments until they retired in Siloam Springs, Ark., and Brownsville, Texas. Ralph is survived by his wife and their blended family, Charlene Garcia, Jennifer McHenry (Ron), Patricia Ritter (Dan), Harold Smith and Kimberly Hope. Grandchildren are Joy Alford (Clint), Wendy Prather, Tammy Homer (Rollin), Dan Ritter (Amy), Misty Macias (Luis), Josh McClain, Sarah Zakas (Matt), Savanna Petty (Doug), Andrea Smith and Josh Helton. Great-grandchildren are Christian Livingston, Brody Alford, Justin Prather, Allison Homer, Natalie Ritter, Adrian and Aubrey Macias, and Zoey and Angelo Zakas. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Doris Dinardi, Jim Smith, Peggy Belshe (Ron), Mary Burson, Dennis Smith (Eunice) and Dan Smith (Jeri); and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ethel Smith; and his son, James Allen Smith. Ralph was a great man of character who, as a young boy, used the Golden Rule as his model when he developed his personal standards for living life. He was a loving and devoted husband and father. He loved all creatures, large and small, and cared greatly for all of them in unmistakable ways — quietly and completely. Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values. Ralph was a happy man. A celebration of Ralph's life will be held Feb. 5, 6 p.m. at Dickey Mortuary, 8030 Mango Ave., Fontana. Burial will be at Yell Cemetery, Robinson Community, Ark., at 1 p.m. on Feb. 8, under the direction of Heritage Funeral Home in Springdale.