Obituary of Richard Leon Smith

Richard Leon Smith, 90, of Tucson, Arizona passed away on July 1, 2019. He was surrounded by his loving wife, a brother, children and grandchildren. Richard was born December 16, 1928 to L.G. and Marcella (Metts) Smith in Fentress, Texas. He attended Dona Ana County New Mexico Public Schools and Vallejo College for Senior High School. He married Murl Pepper, February 12, 1949. Richard and Murl have lived in Southern Arizona for more than sixty years. Richard served in Navy from 1946-1949. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was President of Cactus Little League when they went to the Little League World Series. He was the owner of Churchman Sand and Gravel until his death. Richard is survived by his spouse of seventy years, Murl. His four children - Pepper (Tammi Bush) Smith, Carolyn Mosconi (Phil), Janyth Smith, and Doug Smith. His grandchildren - Baylee Bush-Smith, Kenny (Michelle) Fox, Kirsta Mosconi, Courtney Lau (Mike), Mark Ballentine, Lance Bradford, Britni Bradford., Tyler, and Taylor Smith. His great-grandchildren - Brandon Fox, Parker Lau, Mariah Ballentine, Jaxson and Asilee Bradford, Zachary Olney, Zoey and Zane Brown. His brothers - Joe, Sam, and Wayne (Marveen), Weldon (Carol) Smith and sisters - Barbara Hughes and Beverly (Jim) Davis along with many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother L.G. and Marcella Smith, his sister Betty Blackman and granddaughter Mandi Ballentine. Services and visitation will be held Friday, July 12, 2019 at Adair Avalon Chapel - 8090 N Northern Avenue, Oro Valley, AZ at 9 AM with a Celebration of Life immediately following in the reception area until 12:00 PM. Funeral services will be officiated by Jesus (Chuy) Adame. Pallbearers - Pepper and Doug Smith, Phil Mosconi, Kenny Fox, Mark Ballentine, and Tyler Smith. Memories and condolences can be given at adairfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the University of Arizona Diamond Children's Hospital in Richard's name.