Richard Smith

Harold Richard Smith passed away peacefully Thursday, July 7, 2016, at Hinkle Hospice House after a one year illness of pancreatic cancer. The funeral will be at Wesley Heights United Methodist Church on Western Blvd. at 11 a.m. Monday, July 11. The family will receive friends at Davidson Funeral Home Sunday July 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. Richard was born September 12, 1932, to William Harvey and Unetta Smith, the youngest of seven children. Preceding him in death were his parents; sisters, Annie Bean, Mildred Davis, Margaret Koonts; and brothers, Kenneth Smith and Calvin Smith. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1951. He played American Legion baseball and made All State in 1949. He attended Elon University on an athletic scholarship in baseball and football. Richard served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean conflict. He was a member of the VFW Post 3074 and American Legion Post 8. Richard continued his interest in baseball by coaching several Jr. Tar Heel and Sr. Tar Heel teams. He assisted George Mauney in coaching American Legion teams. Richard retired from the Lexington Police Department with the rank of Captain in 1987 after 33 years of service. He was a member of the NC Law Enforcement Association. He was a longtime active member of Wesley Heights United Methodist Church, serving as a trustee, usher, and other positions. Surviving are his wife, Gayle Sink Smith; children, Karen S. Coleman and husband Ron of Lexington, Diane S. Joyce and husband Tim of Midlothian, Va., and Steve Smith and wife Nancy of Greensboro; grandchildren are Matthew (Crystal), Russell (Anna) and Andrew Joyce, Rachel (Matt) Lewis, and Eric (Rachel) Coleman, Hayden Hobbs, Taylor and Carter Smith; two great-grandchildren, Kai Hobbs and Harper Smith; brother, Rev. Bryce and Ina Smith. Memorials may be made to Wesley Heights United Methodist Church, 100 Western Blvd., Lexington, NC 27295; or Hinkle Hospice House, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292. The family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the nurses and staff of Hinkle Hospice House for the care he received during the last weeks of his life.