Smith, Lee Roy "Smitty" "Red" Age 92, of Richfield, MN. Surrounded by his family and holding his wife's hand at his bedside during his last days, Lee passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 2. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Margaret "Peggy" (nee, Meissner); children, Dewey (Debra), William (Lynn), Mary (Thomas) Sapp, Peggy (Dave) Peterson; Roy (Kari), Walter (Leslie); sister-in-law, Mary Jane Hall; grandchildren, Darcie (Nick) Cline, Lee (Jamie) and Rachel (Ben) Pierce, Matthew (Jennifer), Jennifer (Brian) Podany and Lisa (Trevor) Nolte, Matthew, Jeremy, Brandon, Jordan & Peter Burch, Thomas (Sophia), Johnathan (Karissa) & William Sapp, Daniel & Autumn Peterson, Alison & Grace, Spencer & Shelby & Alex Glattly; great-grandchildren, Courtney, Riley, Preston, Bryson, Annabel, Olivia, Parker, Corbin, Kayana, Luella, Finnegan, Isla Ellen and Christian Lee. Preceded in death by his parents, Dewey Otis & Edna May (nee, Hayhurst) Smith; brothers, Charles, Jack & Dewey John; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Smith. He was born in Claude, Texas on July 31, 1926 and raised in Tecamseh, Oklahoma where he was known as "Red". His parents owned the town grocery store with all the candy and supplies you could need. They had the 1st ball park around for miles. His love of pecans came from the trees they had planted in front of the store. He told stories about hunting on his way to school with his beagle dog. A US Navy veteran from 1942-1964. Lee served on the USS Nitro ammunition ship in WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War. He became a longtime member of the USS Nitro Association. He continued his naval career a Chief Fireman at the MPLS Naval Air Station. Lee worked at Control Data for 23 years. He was a handyman at WPBC Christian Radio Station and Wooddale Church in Richfield. Lee & Margaret travelled together to 49 states. Every summer with the children growing up they went to Ohio and Oklahoma for family visits. Lee loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren. He was an avid artist, cook and seamstress. He always kept his hands busy doodling, tinkering and whittling. Margaret and Lee both said "I Do" again and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows at Fort Snelling Chapel in October 2018. It was a memorable day for the bride, groom and family. His select hearing was laughed upon but he indulged his sweet tooth and food cravings, spoke with quick wit and smart remarks until the very end. He will definitely keep the angels busy but be sorely missed here on earth. Love U Dad - Grandpa - Pops! Forever! God please welcome him. Funeral Service will be held 11:00 AM on Thursday (December 20) with visitation 1 hour prior at Wooddale Church, 6630 Shady Oak Road. Interment Fort Snelling. Memorials preferred to Loaves & Fishes, VA Cancer Hospice or USS Nitro Association. Morris Nilsen Chapel 612-869-3226 morrisnilsen.com

Published on December 16, 2018