Richard Sterling Smith Jr. (Rick), 64 of Walnut Grove, passed away on Thursday March 21, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. Rick was born on January 11, 1960, in Springfield, Mo. to Richard and Theresa (Landwehr) Smith.

Rick graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1978 and began his career at Paul Mueller Company. He retired in April of 2015 after 37 years. Rick loved spending time with his family, farming, hunting, fishing and taking road trips.

On January 30, 1984, Rick Smith and Anita Vance were united in Marriage and spent 40 wonderful years together. They were blessed with three children and five grandchildren.  He loved getting to spend time with them and enjoyed watching them play sports and hardly ever missed a game. At an early age his dad instilled a love of collecting fencing tools and barbed wire. They enjoyed traveling all over the United States with their collections.

Rick is survived by his wife, Anita Smith; sons, Justin (Diane) Smith of Walnut Grove, Jeremy (Ashley) Smith of Walnut Grove; daughter, Heather (Michael) Mangan of Walnut Grove; father, Richard Smith Sr. of Walnut Grove; sisters, Mary (Robert) Stillings of Kimberling City and Patty (Tommy) Bowers of Walnut Grove; grandchildren, Calvin Smith, Ellie Smith, Shay Smith, Colt Smith, and John Mangan; along with many nieces, nephews, friends and family.

Rick is preceded in death by his mother, Theresa Smith; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ted and Chris Vance; brothers in law, Claude Vance, Mike Ward, sisters in law; Kimmie Worthan, Judy Ward and Deanna Vance.

Visitation will be 6:00PM-8:00PM, Monday, March 25, 2024, at Wilson- Griffin Funeral Home, Walnut Grove. Funeral services will be 10:00AM, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Greene Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to St. Jude's and may be left with the funeral home.