Kenneth R. Smith
October 7, 1927 - July 31, 2007

Kenneth R. Smith age 79 of Washington passed away at 3:00 PM Tuesday at his residence following a serious illness of three weeks. He was born on October 7, 1927 in Daviess County to Alfonso L. and Lillian E. (Ramsey) Smith. He was a graduate of Washington High School, He was a US Army Veteran of the Korean War where he was decorated for bravery up and beyond the call of duty and served as a Master sergeant. He had worked at Drew Motor Company were he became sales Manager. In 1962 he was awarded the Oldsmobile Dealership. A year after the 1975 fire at Drew Motor Company Kenny opened Smith Oldsmobile and GMC Dealership which he owned and operated from 1975 till 2001. He was awarded the Herman Goodin Civic Service Award from the Indina Automobile Dealers Association in 1985. At the time of his death he was working part time at Ed Lee Mortuary. He played baseball for the Gray's Team. Kenny was instrumental in keeping fast pitch softball alive at Allen Field for many years having played on several teams (Sports Mart, Uniroyal, Palmer Electric, and others). He had been a coach for Little League Baseball and Washington Catholic 7th and 8th grade basketball. He was passed president of Washington Catholic PTO. He helped start the Rosemary Kennedy School. He was a member of St. Simon Catholic Church, Washington K of C, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus where he was passed Faithful Navigator, Washington Moose Lodge, Washington Elks Lodge, and Washington American Legion and VFW. Surviving is his wife, Roberta A. (Arvin) Smith, whom he married August 12, 1954; four sons and daughter in-law, Tony Smith, Tim Smith, and Terry Smith all of Washington, and Troy and Amy Smith of Phoenix, Az.; Grandchildren, Taryn Smith, Max Smith, Morgan Smith, Christina Smith, Madeline Smith, Olivia Smith, Macie Smith and Cloe Smith; one step grandson Connor Jones; and one brother, Lester L. Smith of Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Theresa Marie Smith and Christina 'Tina' Fitzpatrick, two sisters, Ganelle Fox and Marguerite Bailey; and four brothers Roy Smith, Jack Smith, Emil Smith, and Melvin Smith. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM on Saturday at St. Simon Catholic Church with Father Gordon Mann as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 4 to 8 PM with a wake service at 4:00 PM and a K of C rosary at 7:00 PM Memorial Donations maybe made to Washington Catholic Education Endowment and St. John's Cemetery Fund. Condolences may be made online at www.edleemortuary.c

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