Fred P. Smith, 67, formerly of Oral, SD, died peacefully on Sept. 28, 2014, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
He was born Jan. 3, 1947, to Junior C. and Rosalie M. (Thompson) Smith in Hayes, KS. Fred moved with his family to Oral in June of 1956, where they had purchased a unit on the Angostura Irrigation Project. Fred was raised on the farm and attended elementary school there where he made lifelong friends.
He graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1965, where he had excelled in academics and football. He enjoyed these years and the many good friends he had. He attended South Dakota State University. In 1968, he enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps and served his country in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1973.
On August 2, 1969, on a very hot day, Fred married Susan M. Rodman in Smithwick, SD. Together they had three children. Fred, Susan, Pat and Shauna lived in North Carolina briefly before Fred’s discharge. They returned to Oral and farmed and ranched in partnership with his father. During these years Fred worked hard providing for his family. He played softball and enjoyed his kids’ activities.
In his retirement Fred thoroughly enjoyed going shooting with his grandson, keeping up on the grandchildrens sports, academics and actvities, fantasy football, watching sports, being with friends and family and listening to music. Fred was very good at making people laugh with a sense of humor that would not stop. He had extreme attention to detail and he was a very smart man. He loved his family very much.
He is survived by his son, Pat (Julie) Smith of Willow City, ND; daughters, Shauna (Mick) Hoglund of Dell Rapids, and Stacy (Bill) Langer of Rapid City; grandchildren, Dawson, Quade, Trista, Morgan, Ty, Reed, Jessi and Kelly; and mother-in-law, Helen Hattervig of Dell Rapids.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hot Springs, with Pastor Dwayne Hunzeker officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery near Oral.
A memorial in Fred’s name has been established to benefit the Hot Springs Bison Booster Club.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley’s Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.