Richard Emil Smith, 62, of Thomaston, passed away at his residence on June 18, 2012.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 3133 Crest Highway, Thomaston, with a visitation immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roberta and Harry Smith, and his brother, Fuzzy Smith.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Debbie Hendrix Smith; his son, Matt Smith and wife Heather of Lufkin, Texas; and his daughter, Becca Smith Pasley and husband Joel of Thomaston; grandchildren, Tyler Knight, Trent Knight, Harrison Smith, Annie Grace Pasley, Lauren Brown, Bo Pasley, and Hendrix Smith; and sisters, Nancy Bennett of Talking Rock, GA, and Donna Jo Smith of Thomaston.

He was a member, past deacon and youth minister of Fellowship Baptist Church, and a Lance Corporal in the U. S. Marines (Parris Island), where he received the National Defense Service Medal. He was an ordained Baptist Pastor, worked in sales in TV, radio and at Ranew’s Truck & Equipment until his retirement in 2008. He enjoyed volunteering for the Special Olympics of Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 75817, Topeka, KS 66675, or Special Olympics GA, 4000 Dekalb Technology Parkway, Suite 400, Bldg. 400, Atlanta, GA 30340.

Coggins Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.