Ralph C. Smith

Ralph Carl "Smitty" Smith, 79 of Battle Creek, MI, passed away Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 in Kalamazoo, MI. Ralph was born in Battle Creek on March 19th, 1943, the son of Orville C. and Maudie L. Smith. He called Battle Creek his home during his lifetime.

Ralph grew up in Battle Creek, graduating from Battle Creek Central in 1961. Following that, he spent some time in the Air National Guard, learning the machinist trade. After the Guard, Ralph worked at Clark Equipment Co. and Barker Manufacturing, before finally working at Post Cereal Company, from which he retired in 2002.

Ralph was an avid golfer from young adulthood till the end of his life. He scored his last hole-in-one in June 2019. He had a passion for working on vintage muscle cars, his last one being a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback. Ralph cherished spending time with his wife, kids and grandkids and telling stories about his extended family, who came here in the late 1930's from Monterey, Tennessee. He also loved a good, intelligent debate and had an affinity for those who could hold their own with him in discussion of a wide range of topics. He had an eternal thirst for knowledge of all types and held in high esteem those who were experts in their chosen field.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 30 years, Judy A. (Jenkins) Smith; his daughter, Deborah (Smith) Craig; son, Patrick (Michele) Smith; grandchildren, Katie and Mia Craig, Joshua Smith, Meghan (Zaron) Babbitt; 1 great-grandchild, Juliana Babbitt; a brother, Orville Ray Smith of Monterey, TN.; a special niece-daughter Michelle (Matt) McClelland of Hastings, MI. and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Orville C. and Maudie L. (McCowan) Smith; brother, Jack Smith; and sisters-in-law Beverly and Sharon Smith.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 105 Capital Ave., N.E. from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., where a funeral service is being held the following day, Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 at 1:30 p.m., with pastor Tony Phipps of Monterey, TN. officiating. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens, 1490 E. Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI.

Memorial contributions may be made to the KCC Foundation to support students interested in Industrial Machining, 450 North Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017 or at www.kellogg.edu/donate, the American Heart Association or the American Kidney Fund.

Ralph's family is being assisted with arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 105 Capital Avenue, Battle Creek, MI. 49017. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.