Ronald J. “Ronny” Smith, 68, of Orange Park, Florida, formerly of Fitzgerald, died Saturday, January 10, 2015, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at Arbor Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. Interment will follow in Arbor Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Tuesday evening at the funeral home.
Mr. Smith was born July 6, 1946, in Fitzgerald, Georgia to the late Joseph D. & Virginia Gaines Smith. He earned a primary degree in photography and earned a secondary degree as a machinist. Mr. Smith served his country honorably in The United States Navy, retiring as a Petty Officer First Class after 20 years of service. He earned many awards including: four Good Conduct Awards, Gallantry Cross, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (3 stars), Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Vietnam Cease Fire Campaign, Navy Expeditionary Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Mr. Smith was a sharp shooter and expert marksman who won many medals and ribbons and also enjoyed shooting sports. Following his military service, Mr. Smith worked for and retired from the United States Postal Service. He moved to Orange Park, Florida from Virginia Beach, Virginia in 1982. He was a member of Dougherty Lodge #591 F.&A.M. and Hasan Shrine, both in Albany, Georgia. He was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Vickie Smith of Orange Park, Florida; a son, Joseph D. Smith of Fairmount; daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly Starr Brittian and her husband Patrick Allen Brittian of Adairsville; grandchildren, Tracy Edward “Teddy” Brittian and his wife Emily Kayla Brittian, Hali Christine Brittian, Johnathan Eli Brittian, and Ciara Ellen Smith; and a great-granddaughter, Harlan Kate Brittian. He is also survived by two nephews, William Stanley Smith, Jr. of Blackshear and Stacy Smith of Hoboken and an aunt, Irene Smith of Fitzgerald. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Stanley Smith.