James Ronald Smith

James Ronald "Ron" Smith passed away March 17, 2022 at Baptist Health, Louisville, KY from cancer and an assortment of other ongoing health problems that he was not able to overcome. He was never alone and passed peacefully with his wife and son by his side. He was born December 15, 1935 in Experiment, GA to the late Benjamin Myles Smith, Sr. and the late Gladys Barfield Smith. He was a 1954 graduate of Griffin High School and attended Georgia Tech for 2 years studying engineering. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1958 where he served 2 years in engineering as a mapmaker. After his honorable discharge from the army, he returned to his employment at Westinghouse Elevator in Atlanta, GA engineering elevators. In 1973 he received a job offer from Armor Elevator Co. in Louisville, KY and spent the rest of his career engineering elevators there. He was sent on many trips around the United States by Armor assisting in engineering elevators in various cities. The highlight of his travels was a trip for the company to Vienna, Austria in October 1991. In 1957 he and Melba McGahee were married. They were blessed with an enduring marriage of 64 years.

Ron is survived by a son, Samuel Andrew Smith and his wife, Judy; and a daughter, Sharon Smith Shircliff; a niece, Mariruth Rogers and husband, Jimmie; and nephew, Myles Jeffrey Smith. In addition, Ron is survived by seven grandchildren, Lydia, Joel, Naomi, Jacob, Mabel, Rose and Julia Shircliff; two step-granddaughters, Jenny Leach and Shelly Lassiter and husband Jon; and one step-grandson, Michael Breitbach; two step-great-grandsons, George and Calvin Lassiter; and step-great-granddaughter, Rosalind Lassiter; and a host of relatives and friends.

Ron was devoted to his family and always concerned about their welfare. His parting words anytime someone went somewhere, was "Be Careful." That was his way of saying, "I love you." He was formerly a Baptist, and was currently a member of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY.

Visitation will be 3 to 5 pm on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals and Receptions, East Louisville Chapel, 235 Juneau Drive, Louisville, Kentucky 40243. A celebration of Ron's life will follow there at 5 pm.

Ron's body was cremated and his ashes will be interred in the family plot in West View Cemetery, Thomson, GA. on Sunday, June 12th at 2pm Eastern Time.

Memorials may be made to donations for Ukrainian Relief in memory of Ron to: Southeast Christian Church, attn: Sarah Guelda, 920 Blankenbaker Road, Louisville, Ky. 40243.

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