R.J. Smith, age 81, of Frisco, Texas, passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2020. R.J. was born August 2, 1939, to Mack G. and Bertha A. Smith in Tolleson, Arizona. R.J. had two half-siblings, Bill and Joyce and was raised by his parents working on farms throughout Oklahoma and Kansas. They lived in very rural areas and did not have running water or electricity in his home until he was 10 years old. R.J. played basketball and ran track, studied hard, and was up early in the morning to milk cows and feed the chickens before heading off to school – typically walking or on his horse. One of his many stories was how his most coveted snack as a youth was eating cherry tomatoes he lined up in a neat row on his room’s windowsill.
His work ethic was forged from an early age and, to no one’s surprise, he graduated in 1957 as Valedictorian of Yukon High School in Oklahoma. From there, he received a partial academic scholarship to attend Oklahoma State University, where he worked in the school cafeteria to earn money to pay the remaining school bills. He received an ROTC scholarship as well. He graduated in 1961 with an Accounting degree and was loyal to his ROTC commitment to join the Army. He rose to Staff Sergeant before completing his service and starting in 1963, began a very successful 36-year career in the United States Treasury, rising to an executive level.
R.J. was married to his first wife, Carole Ann Shoup originally of Chicago, Illinois, for 40 years from 1966 to her passing in 2006. They had 2 children, Scott and Sheryl. During those 40 years, the Smith family moved to various spots in Oklahoma – Lawton, Tulsa and Norman before finally heading south to reside in Waco, Texas. R.J.’s career was capped by a final move to Dallas, Texas, in 1987 where he retired in 1999. After Carole’s passing from cancer, R.J. met his current wife, Linda, and they were married in 2008. R.J. and Linda lived in Frisco, Texas, for several years then moved to Temecula, California, before returning in 2017 to their retirement home back in Frisco, Texas.
During his 81 years, R.J. was a fervent man of faith coming to know the Lord at the age of 10. He served as a deacon of both First Baptist Church of Woodway, Texas, as well as Hunters Glen Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. Since 2007, he has served as a Gideon and distributed hundreds of Bibles especially to students in both Texas and California. R.J. was proud of all his family and was always there to support and encourage them in their endeavors, whether that be his children or grandchildren. He was a generous man with a servant’s heart. Never bragging and always working hard whether that be in his career, in his yard, or lending a helping hand to those in need. He was a man of few words and set the example by his actions and generosity. I am sure the moment after his passing that he heard the words from our Lord, ‘Well-done my good and faithful servant.’
R.J. is survived by his wife, Linda Willingham Smith; his son, Scott S. Smith and his wife, Karla, of Frisco, Texas, with grandchildren Travis and Julia; his daughter Sheryl Beck and her husband, Larry, of Celina, Texas, with grandchildren Adam (wife Channing), Evan, and Megan (husband Britt); his step-daughter, Dori Voorhees of Frisco, Texas, with grandchildren Brian, Cassidy and Maci, great-granddaughter Kendall Rae; his step-son Robert J Willingham IV (wife Stacey) with granddaughters Kendra and Kailey; his step-son Matthew Willingham (wife Christina) of Temecula, California, with grandchildren Christian and Taydem Eve.
A celebration of life service* will be held outdoors at Grace Church, 8440 Grace Street in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, December 5th, at 10am. Family-only graveside service will immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to honor R.J. if you desire by making a donation to The Gideons International at www.gideons.org/donate
*social-distancing and face coverings kindly requested