Leroy Raymond Smith was born August 14, 1941 in Gregory, South Dakota to Elmer and Cloris (Ellison) Smith. He was the second born of 3 children. At age 4 the family moved to Kaleva, Michigan because of Leroy's asthma.

While he lived in Michigan he grew up in the outdoors where he learned his first love, to fish and hunt. He made very many lifelong friends when he was in Michigan. At age 16 he moved back to South Dakota to attend school and work on the family farm. He split his time between working for Martin Smith at Burke for the summer months and back to Michigan to work during the winter months cutting pulp wood.

At age 18 he and his family moved back to South Dakota to continue the family farm where he lived and worked until his death. He met the love of his life, Janice Kahler, in the Fall of 1957 and they were married on August 12, 1961. To this union five children were born.

Leroy was very involved in his community throughout his life. He served on many boards and dedicated his time to doing the best he could for these boards in order to help them achieve their goals. He was also involved in his church serving as a Eucharistic Minister and was a Third Degree Knight in the Gregory Knights of Columbus.

Leroy believed in hard work, not to ask someone to do something that he wouldn't do, and to be honest and charitable, but to also have hobbies and to enjoy life to the fullest. He took great pride in his many farming endeavors, but enjoyed most the work that he could do with his neighbors. He also enjoyed woodworking and often donated his creations to charity events in the community. One of his greatest woodworking accomplishments was the cabin he built along the river breaks. He dearly loved spending time visiting with all who stayed there and made many friends. But to Leroy, family was the most important thing that his Creator provided to him.

Leroy passed away on Tuesday August 12, 2014 at Avera Gregory Hospital, on their 53rd anniversary and two days before he was to turn 73. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Cloris; his mother and father in law Ella and Ted Kahler; and his brother in laws, Don Lenz, Duane Kahler and Joe Kahler.

Leroy is survived by his wife Janice; 5 children: Sherry (Tony) of Burke; Ray (Donna) of Philip; Rick of Yankton; Annie (Brandon) of Burke; Tina (Austin) of Lennox; 15 grandchildren; 8 1/2 great grandchildren; sisters Rose Lenz of Elk Point; and Marjorie (Duane) Veldheer of Zeeland Michigan; sister in laws Barb (Don) Petersen of Gregory and Carol Kahler of Mitchell; a host of cousins, nephews, and nieces. He is also survived by his many long time friends and associates.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 10:30 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. There will be a prayer service on Friday at 7:30 PM at the Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the Church.