Richard Smith

Richard Stephen Smith, 75, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born March 18, 1934, in Cape Girardeau, son of Daniel and Eva Utley Smith. He and Laverne Baugher were married Aug. 25, 1963, at West Side Church of God in Cape Girardeau.

Smith served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1956.

He owned and operated Smith 7-UP Distributing Co. in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 1998.

Smith was a member of West Side Church of God 42 years, and Cape County Swingers Square Dance Club. He was an avid bowler, fisherman and hunter. He loved family camping and traveling.

Survivors include his wife, Laverne Smith of Cape Girardeau; a son, Brian (Cathy) Smith of Delaware; two daughters, Deborah (Keith) Kyle of Cape Girardeau, Traci Smith of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, James E. Smith of Cape Girardeau, Danny Smith of Virginia; a sister, Betty Nanna of Cape Girardeau; and five grandchildren, Zachary and Dylan Kyle, Brian Jr. and Brianna Smith and Blye Smith-Bosecker.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with military honors to be conducted. The Rev. Mike Shupert and Mark Bowles will officiate. Burial will be in Lindsey Cemetery in McClure, Ill.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 1289 Lexington Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.