Marvin Richard Smith

Marvin Richard "Rick" Smith, Jr.
January 19, 1953 – June 19, 2026
Marvin Richard "Rick" Smith, Jr., age 73, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2026.
Born on January 19, 1953, in Pearisburg, Virginia, Rick was the son of Mary Jane Davis Smith and Marvin R. Smith, Sr. He graduated from Ozark High School and later from Enterprise Community College, Alabama in 1973, beginning a career marked by hard work, dedication, integrity, and service.

Rick was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Mary Jane Smith, and his beloved son, Richard Alexander Smith.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 33 years, Christy Smith of Mansfield, Texas; his daughter, Kristy Lynn Beals of Sheridan, Arkansas; his grandchildren, Emily Reynolds (James), Ashton Beals, and Chloe Beals; and his great-grandson, River. He is also survived by his sister, Starr Vankirk (Kevin) of Milton, Wisconsin; his brother, Tom Smith of Ozark, Alabama; and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces.

Known as "Rick" to most and "Richie" to close family, he lived a quiet and private life centered on his love for family, country, the military community, and service to others. He dedicated 36 years to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), retiring in 2008 as a Retail Business Manager. Beginning his career in high school, as a janitor for AAFES, Rick worked his way through the organization through determination, perseverance, and a strong work ethic. Throughout his distinguished career, he served in assignments across Texas, Germany, England, New York, the Azores, California, Alaska, and Washington, supporting military members and their families around the world. His commitment to the military community continued long after his retirement.

No matter where his career took him, Rick embraced every opportunity to explore. He enjoyed discovering small towns, learning their history, and experiencing the unique character and charm each place had to offer. His curiosity and appreciation for people and places made every assignment an adventure.

Rick had a lifelong passion for books, movies, and history, especially World War II history. He enjoyed cooking and, in recent years, found great enjoyment in building LEGO creations. He regularly followed current affairs and valued staying informed about the world around him. He also looked forward to the monthly "Stammtisch" dinners, where he enjoyed reconnecting with friends and former colleagues.

A generous and thoughtful man, Rick found joy in giving to others and sharing his interests with those he loved. As a child, he had a newspaper route for his first job. When he got paid, he always bought something for his brother and sister. During his retirement, he devoted seven years to caring for his mother, a reflection of the deep sense of duty and compassion that defined his life.

Above all, Rick was devoted to his family. He loved and supported his wife wholeheartedly throughout their marriage and took immense pride in his daughter and her many accomplishments. He cherished time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandson, creating memories through family visits and travels to Missouri, Wisconsin, Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Disney World/Universal Studios. He especially enjoyed sharing his love of history with his grandchildren through visits to the Alamo, World War II museums, and aviation museums, helping inspire in them the same curiosity and appreciation for the past that he carried throughout his life.

Rick will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His kindness, generosity, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to family leave a lasting legacy that will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at First Methodist Church Mansfield, 777 N. Walnut Creek Drive, Mansfield, Texas 76063. Friends and family are invited to gather from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. An online live stream of the service will be available at www.fmcm.org/funerals .  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First Methodist Church Mansfield Angel Tree Program, a military charity of your choice, or another charity meaningful to you.