G.R. "Dick" Smith Obituary (1924 - 2011)

G.R. "Dick" Smith, age 86, passed away February 22, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. Dick was born May 4, 1924 in Central City, Iowa to Raymond and Olive Smith. He was raised in Center Point, Iowa and attended schools there. He later served in the Marine Corps from 1943 - 1945. Following his military service Dick attended Upper Iowa University receiving his Bachelors Degree and later University of Iowa where he earned his Masters with additional studies at Iowa State University. He married Connie Erion in July of 1948. Dick served as a public school administrator from 1947 to 1984 in the following schools: Fayette, Rolfe, Shell Rock, Postville, Clear Lake, and Sumner. He was preceded in death by his wife Connie in 1984. He became re-acquanited with his childhood friend Arlene Kacena and they were married in 1985. They moved to Arizona from Iowa in 1989 and settled in Wickenburg. Dick was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church and a member of the Wednesday Morning Men's Breakfast Group. He is survived by his wife Arlene of Wickenburg. Daughters, Pam Houdek of Glendale, Arizona and Cindy Anson (Rob) of Boise, Idaho. Step-children: Jim Kacena (Kathy) of White Salmon, WA, Jay Kacena (Penny) of Columbia, MO., Jon Kacena of Springfield, MO., Jeff Kacena (Terri) of Kingwood, TX., sister Mary Doonan of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, brother Don Smith of Corning, CA., grandchildren: Kevin Williams of Boise, ID, Matt Houdek of Spillville, Iowa, Kate Kacena of Kingwood, TX., Andrew Kacena of St. Louis, MO., Chris Kacena of Atlanta, GA., Ben Kacena of Kingwood, TX., and 3 great-granchildren.