Ronald Martin "Ron" Smith

Ronald Martin "Ron" Smith, 68, of Battle Creek and retired President of United States Lumber Company, died at home with his family at his side on Monday, October 30, 2017, after a short, courageous battle with Sarcoma.

Ron was born October 10, 1949 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Stanley Earl and Gladys (Olson) Smith. He was a 1967 graduate of Pennfield High School, where he lettered in four sports. Ron completed his Carpenter Apprenticeship at Kellogg Community College in 1968. Ron was employed from 1967 – 1982 for G.O. Lewis Company as a carpenter and a member of Carpenters 874. Ron was a construction supervisor for numerous local Battle Creek projects including McKinley School, Willard Library, and Kellogg Community College. His final project was the McQuiston Learning Center at Battle Creek Central High School. In 1982 Ron became the manager of United States Lumber Company and in 1985 he purchased the company from Beulah Kendall. He remained President until his retirement in 2015, when he sold the business to his son and daughter-in-law Bryan and Jolynn Smith.

Ron married Cynthia A. "Cindi" Ballard on November 8, 1985 in Battle Creek. Surviving are his wife, Cindi; son, Bryan (Jolynn) Smith of Battle Creek; daughter, Karlee Smith-Long of Portage; three grandchildren, Reagan Smith, Lauren Long, Nolan Smith; 3 step-children, Jeffrey Wilson of Battle Creek, Gene (Jessica) Wilson of Tekonsha, Jill Wilson of Owasso; 12 step-grandchildren; two sisters, Diane (John) Breitengross of Bonita Springs, FL, Sandra (Doug) Barker of Battle Creek and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Ron was preceded in death by his parents. In addition to his family, Ron would want it mentioned that he held his buddies in the highest regard, and that they helped make his life complete. They know who they are, and they loved him like a brother.

Ron was a lifetime athlete and enjoyed competitive softball, bowling, hunting, and golfing. Following high school, Ron was voted MVP in his first AA softball tournament while playing left field for Mullett Motors in a tournament in Fostoria, Ohio. Ron went on to become the starting left fielder for the Ken Nottke's AA softball team that competed in the World Softball Tournament in Long Island New York. When Ron retired from competitive softball he assisted his friend Denny McComb in setting up the Pennfield Rocket Football program. Ron and Denny encouraged many young men from other districts to play for them and in doing so, created the most diverse program in the area. The players on these early rocket teams went on to become leaders in our community and were a source of great pride to Ron. It was during these years that Ron would find the game that defined the rest of his athletic career. Golf would take him around the world and help forge the defining friendships of his life. Ronald was a member of Battle Creek Country Club from 1994 until his death. Over the years he won many club titles including most recently the Senior Club Championship in 2014 and the Junior/Senior Championship in 2016. At the time of his death at age 68, his USGA Handicap Index was 5.6. In addition, Ron was also a member of the Heron Creek Country Club in North Port, Florida where he and Cindi owned a home and had many friends.

Friends will be received 2:00-4:00 p.m. & 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, where a Masonic Service will be held 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 2, 2017. A memorial service to celebrate Ron's life will be officiated by Kelly Hadlich at Battle Creek Friends Church, 1305 Olive St., Battle Creek, MI 49014 at 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 3, 2017.

Memorial contributions may be made to Battle Creek Community Foundation Carpenters Apprenticeship Fund, 32 W. Michigan Ave., Suite 1, Battle Creek, MI 49017. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.