OAKHURST — Ronald Glen Smith passed away at the age of 90 on November 25th, 2022, in Oakhurst, CA. Ron was born in Hanford, CA August 11, 1932. He served in the Army from 1953-1955. One day after discharge from the Army, Ron went to get auto insurance and met Joan, his future wife. It took him (2) hours to get a date, they were married (3) months later. Ron and Joan started their growing family of (4) children in Southern California and moved to Mariposa, CA in 1965. Ron’s family had long been established in Mariposa where he spent a lot of his youth. His fond memories were the driving force in moving his family into this mountain community. Soon after their move to Mariposa, a fifth child joined the family and later a sixth.
Ron started his career with Sierra Telephone as employee number thirteen and later retired in 1996 after 31 years. He continued to have weekly lunch with the Sierra Telephone crew, both current and retired employees. Ron was an avid motorcyclist and traveled a lot of the United States with his trusted companion, Glen Grimes. In 2004 Ron and Joan moved to Oakhurst, CA. Ron had restored the 1949 Ford Truck that had actually been a family vehicle back in the day! He enjoyed participating in the local car shows and recently showed the truck in the Mariposa Yosemite Hot Rod & Custom Car Show October 2022 and surprisingly won “Best in Class”. Ron was an active member of Mountain Christian Center, for many years you could find him every Sunday at the door greeting you, he loved doing this.
Ron is preceded in death by wife Joan of 59 years and Son Jeff. He is survived by daughter, Ronda Chambers and husband Gene of Mariposa, CA, son, David Smith and wife Nancy of Oakhurst, CA, daughter, Laura Bradhurst of Oakhurst, CA, daughter, Wendy Wise and husband Nate of Bishop, CA, daughter Eve McMullen and husband Steve of Post Falls, ID. Grand Children, Jason Chambers and wife Payia, Jenny Chambers, Lance Bradhurst and wife Lauren, Oliana Reynolds, Eamon Reynolds, Alora Reynolds, Arielle McMullen, Emily McMullen and Tanner McMullen. Great Grand Children, Austin Chambers, Alyssa Chambers, Felix Chambers and Sydney Bradhurst.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Ron at Mountain Christian Center in Oakhurst, CA on December 3rd, 2022 @ 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Nancy Hinds Hospice in Ron’s honor.
He will forever be in our hearts.