Bobby Ray Smith

Bobby Ray Smith, 85, of Salado, Texas, passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Bobby was born on March 17, 1938, to Abbit Smith and Beatrice Daniels in Pearson, Oklahoma. After growing up in California and graduating from Salinas Union High school in 1956, Bob continued his studies at Hartnell College in Salinas. It wasn’t long after when Bob decided to join the military where he proudly served our country in an Army airborne unit from 1960-1966.

Inspired by his experiences in the Army, Bob pursued and received his pilot’s license and loved to fly. As an inventor and an entrepreneur, Bob owned and operated numerous businesses, to include Smith’s Landing, a country club in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Still today, many folks in Bell County are able to look out the windows that were provided and installed by Belton Glass Company, also owned by Bob for 18 years.

On July 22, 2000, he and his wife, Joe Ann Boyd, were married in the First Baptist Church in Salado, Texas, and have been residents ever since. Over the years, they have enjoyed each other’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and have spent over 20 years traveling and creating lasting memories together.

Throughout his life, Bob collected many fine things; however, classic cars were his favorite. As an enthusiast, he spent a lot of his time collecting, restoring, and just cruisin’ around town. Bob also loved the Lord and has spent the last couple of years as a committed member of Crossroads Church in Belton, Texas.

Bobby Ray Smith was preceded in death by his parents, and sadly, his daughter, Stacy Martin. He is survived by his wife, Joe Ann; his sister, Delores Kelly; step-children, Jade Mena, Johna Foutz, and John Boyd, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A military honors service will be held for immediate family, and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. T2T.org, who have, since 9/11, been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to fallen first responder families was an organization that Bob strongly supported.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bobby Ray Smith, please visit our floral store.