Smith Jr., Robert Ramsey

Robert Ramsey Smith Jr., 78, of Radford, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2008, at the New River Valley Medical Center.

He was the owner and operator of Radio Station WKEX in Blacksburg for 13 years. He especially enjoyed broadcasting ball games and remote broadcasts where he enjoyed meeting the public. He was in radio for 55 years. He was a member of Blacksburg Baptist Church where he enjoyed singing in the choirs (the adult choir and the Joy Singers). He also liked being an usher there. He would be asked to sing a solo during the Senior Adult Sunday service which was held once a year.

Bob served as President of the Radford Rotary Club as well as secretary and program chairman. Earlier before purchasing the radio station in Blacksburg and moving his membership in church and Rotary Club to Blacksburg, he was an active member of First Baptist Church in Radford where he served as Deacon and where he worked with the young people in the church.

He touched many young lives serving as Director of the Junior High Department. He had a great love for children and animals, especially the neighborhood cats. The cats would visit our house daily and he would give them a snack. When he would take his walk each day, many of the neighborhood children would run out and give him a hug. They would call him the “candy man” as he almost always had a treat in his pocket for them.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert R. and Bella Barron Smith and also by a brother, William Donaldson Smith. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Jean Wheeler Smith; two sons and daughter-in-law, Robert R. Smith III, of Radford, and Edward A. and Rebecca R. Smith, of Buena Vista; sister, Ella S. Graham, of Wisconsin; and four grandchildren, Emily Jean Smith, Jessica Carroll Smith, Aaron William Smith and Alan Glynn Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 27, 2008, at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford with Dr. Tommy McDearis and Dr. Don McKinney officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Burial Park in Radford. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Blacksburg Baptist Church, c/o the Music Department, 550 North Main Street, Blacksburg, Va. 24060.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. The Smith family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com.