RALPH SMITH

LIBERAL- Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Konantz Warden Funeral Home in Lamar for Ralph Smith, 87, Liberal, who died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022.

The funeral home will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, for visitors to sign the book.

Condolences may be left online at www.konantzwarden.com.

Survivors include his wife, Dollie; daughters, Marlene Beard and husband Mark, Lockwood, Patty Smith, Joplin, Tammy Criner, Pittsburg, Kan. and Dorothy Spivey and husband Rick, Liberal; one son, Andrew Smith and wife Amber, Pittsburg, Kan.; two sisters, Louise Ellis, Grove, Okla. and Eva Umphenour and husband Kenny, Grove, Okla. and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Wallace Smith and a grandchild, James Hoag.

Mr. Smith was born Aug. 12, 1935, in Mindenmines, to Louis and Ruth “Agnes” (Rummel) Smith. He attended school in Mindenmines and Liberal and was a 1953 graduate of Liberal High School. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Alaska.

After the military he returned to Mindenmines, where he farmed. He married Dollie Stephenson in 1970. He was a lifelong farmer, worked at P&M Coal Company and O’Sullivan Industries.

He enjoyed growing watermelon, cantaloupe and other vegetables in in his garden. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting quail and deer. He and his wife enjoyed time together in their home with family and friends. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Liberal, where he spent over 35 years as treasurer. He was a loving father and grandfather who enjoyed being with his family and attending events they participated in. He will be missed.