Richard "Demus" Edward Smith

Richard “Demus” Edward Smith, age 62, passed away unexpectedly on the early morning of Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Originally born in Oklahoma, graduate of Moore High School class of 1969. Richard became a resident of New Mexico during the early 70’s. Rick attended Oklahoma University until the move when he continued his college education at the University of Albuquerque. He remained until this day a diehard OU Sooner. Along with the Sooners, Rick was a huge Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, and LA Lakers fan that could be found catching the latest televised football or basketball game while calling his brother, Bob, to discuss the scores and stats. He was also an avid reader and lover of US History and The Crusades. He enjoyed the outdoors, and it was no mystery when during his teen years when he was not only awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, but made history by becoming the first Cheyenne Indian to accomplish such a task. He went on to be a scout leader and along with his sister, Jan, encouraged his niece and nephews to join scouting as well. Throughout the early years of his life he was quite the traveler and even went so far as to own a boat in the Florida Keys so that he could live the ultimate “Parrot Head” life style. Richard belonged to several Fraternal Organizations such as the Elks, Moose, and other charitable foundations. The accomplishment that he was most proud of though was finding a closer relationship and understanding with his Heavenly Father, by joining and becoming a practicing Catholic. He was a man that loved whole heartedly and offered a kindness to anyone, and that will be sorely missed. He was a beloved Grandson, Son, Brother, Uncle, Nephew and friend who will be thought of, missed and endeared always. Richard is survived by his siblings sister, Jan Silver Reagan and husband, George, sister, Michelle L. McGuire and brother, Robert K. Smith and his wife, Penny; nephew, Kevin Potter and wife, Gina, nephew, Gary Reagan and wife, Dawn niece, Nicole Sterling and fianc? Bart Phillips, nephew, Spc. John W. Kostka and wife, Casey, nephew, Geoff Smith and wife, Amber, nephew, Dylan McGuire and fianc?e, Jenn Viola, nephew, Ian Smith, nephew Jayson Smith and nephew, Patrick Smith; great-grandnephews, Brandon, Tyler, Koalbey, Nicholas, Braeden, Jack and Landon; great-grandnieces, Brandy, Kristina and Alice; aunts, Mary Ann Simpson and husband, James and Jimmie Lee Herrin; and many cousins. All services will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tome, on Tuesday, May 22 beginning with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. with a rosary to be recited at 10:30 a.m. a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Tome Catholic Cemetery. Sign Richard’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

Richard "Demus" Edward Smith

May 17, 2012