Raymond C. Smith Sr.

By Staff
June 23, 2009
A graveside service for Raymond C. Smith Sr., of Oak Ridge, Tenn. will be Friday, June 26, at 11 a.m. at KP Cemetery in Russellville with Johnny Richardson officiating and Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home directing.
Visitation will be Thursday (today) from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mr. Smith died peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at his residence.
He was born in 1918, in Bookwalter, Neb. to Harvey and Lurie Smith. He was one of nine children. His early work consisted of farming until he began a boxing career in the mid-1930’s. He fought under the name “Buzzy Ray” becoming a welter-weight contender until hurt in an industrial accident in 1938. He was drafted in 1942 and earned the title of Welter-Weight Boxing Champion of the Armed Forces in 1942 and 1943. He served in the Pacific Island campaigns as a forward observer with the 300th Cannon Company of the 390th Infantry Division. After the war, he worked as a machinist and retired from TVA in 1979. He remained active in boxing by coaching in Golden Glove competition as well as many years as a little league coach. He was also an avid golfer, bowler and pool player. He was a 50-year member of Masonic Lodge No. 371 in Russellville. He was a member of the New York Avenue Church of Christ in Oak Ridge, Tenn. and a former member of the Grant Street Church of Christ in Decatur and the Eastside Church of Christ in Russellville. He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Mattye Kimbrough Smith of Russellville and Vivian Owens Smith of Decatur, his wife of 10 years.
He is survived by a son, Raymond Smith Jr. of Hobart, Okla.; a daughter, Nancy Ward and husband Bob of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; a sister, Joy Stewart of Marysville, Kan. six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.