Alvin Ray Thomas Smith, Jr. (hereafter “Ray Jr.”) was born on
March 18, 1972 in Kansas City, MO to the late Betty Ann Smith and Alvin
Ray Thomas Smith, Sr. Together they raised 4 children; Ray Jr. was the
second born.
He attended Hickman Mills High School graduating with a scholarship
to further his education and play collegiate football at the University of
Central Missouri as running back. His football career ended due to a
shoulder injury but the game never left him. He devoted his spare time to
become a part of the coaching team for the KC Chiefs youth football team
for many years.
Ray Jr. worked as a Team Leader for Ford Motors for 25 years. Those that
knew him the best, knew if you worked with him, it was not going to be a
boring day.
In 2004, while attending a music concert, he was introduced to the love of
his life. Who would have guess that this meeting lead to 10 years
of friendship and 5 years of marriage. On May 31, 2014, he married Shelly
Boyd in front of his family and friends. During the ceremony, while waiting
for his wife-to-be, you would see Ray Jr. crying at the altar. Afterwards,
he told everyone how happy he was and repeatedly said “I did it. I did it.
Marrying Shelly was the best decision of my life.”
Everyone knew Ray Jr. thought he was a grill master. Whether it was
tailgating at the KC Chiefs games or in his own backyard, the grill was
his. When he had BBQ gatherings, he would make you taste his cooking
good or not. Spending time with those that were close to him, meant a lot.
He was quite the comedian, stealing our hearts with his goofy laugh, his
infectious smile...his smile was truly a heart of gold.
He was preceded in death by his mother - Betty Ann Smith and sister
Deidra Smith. He leaves to cherish his beautiful memory to father -
Alvin Ray Thomas Smith, Sr.; wife - Shelly Smith; two sons: Jalen Smith
of Houston, TX and Darrell Jones of Jefferson City, MO; two stepsons:
Dominique Kern of Lee’s Summit, MO and Cornelius Hughes of Lee’s
Summit MO; two sisters: Selena Smith of Lee’s Summit, MO. and Tawanna
Smith of Cross Roads, TX,; three nieces: Anitra Evans of Kansas City, MO.,
Kierra Ware of Cross Roads, TX., and Tiffany Welch of Cross Road, TX., a
special friend - Sandra Chapman and a host of relatives and friends.
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