Ronald Dean Smith, 76
Ronald Dean Smith, 76 years old, Hayden resident, passed away June 26, 2013, at the Hospice House with his family by his side.
Ron was born on June 4, 1937, in Coeur d’Alene to Marvel and Olive Smith. He was the eldest of three children. Ron graduated from Amity High School (Oregon) in 1955. Following high school he attended Oregon College of Education in Monmouth, Ore., before joining the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958. Following his service he attended Arizona State in 1959. He then attended barber college in Portland, Ore., working as a barber in Oregon and Southern California before switching careers to the furniture business in Washington and Oregon.
In 1971 Ron married Joanne Hammel at the Hitching Post in Coeur d’Alene. They lived in Puyallup and Kent, Wash., before moving in 1985 to Klamath Falls, Ore., where he purchased his own business, Lucas and Howard Furniture. There he was infamous for his crazy commercials; his most notable characters were “Crouton Ron,” “Ronatello” and “Captain Mattress.” Following his career in acting and furniture sales he and his wife Joanne opened a bed and breakfast called The Iron Gate Estate. He entertained his guests with his culinary skills and a side of jokes.
Ron is best remembered for being an avid fisherman, superior chef, wine enthusiast and lover of all things humorous. He loved exploring other cultures and their cuisines, gathering recipes on world travels with his wife, which he always brought back to share at many family meals. Ron explored the U.S. as much as he explored other countries, tackling many trails and attempting to summit mountains. Along the way he read every book he could get his hands on, and was the king of the double entendre.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Joanne Smith, and their beloved dog Rossi; he is also survived by two siblings, Wayne (Dolores) Smith and Sharon (Laird) Smith; and his six children, Corrine (Kevin) Rappleyea, Shaun (Amy) Doll, Brian Doll, Michelle Lynch, Daniel (Kim) Hammel and Megan Smith. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren: Kelton, Matt and Emily Rappleyea; Garrett, Mariah and Madison Doll; Fabrienne and Danielle Doll; Keegan and Emerson Lynch; Samantha and Alex Hammel; Kailen and Tessa McReynolds.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 North Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.
Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel. Please visit Ron’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.