Ronnie Ray Smethers, 79, of Bay City passed away March 21, 2023.  He was born September 16, 1943 in Weatherford, Texas to the late Tonnie Wayne Smethers and Robbie Louise Bunton Smethers.

Ronnie (Ron) was a very adventures kid and loved the outdoors.  He spent many summers with his grandparents where they would often find him in the woods or in a creek.  As he grew to a young man, he had a love for sports and continued a love for the outdoors.  After graduating from Tuloso Midway High School he went to Ranger Junior College and then joined the Army but was medically discharged during Vietnam.

After being discharged from the Army, he worked in sales for a while then began working in the refineries as a boiler maker/pipe fitter.   He worked his way up in safety and then landed the position he loved the most in Human Resources.  As a Human Resource Manager, he took great pride in finding the right position for each candidate.  During this time, he met his loving wife, Jennifer of 20 years.  They were inseparable from the time they met over 26 years ago.  There was nothing he would not do for his "Little Girl".  He also took great joy in his two children Ronnie and Rae.  He was so proud of both of them and lit up with joy even from a little text message he received from them.  Although he was not able to travel as much as he wanted he loved his grandkids and great-grandkids dearly.  He loved to hear of their adventures and accomplishments and was always asking for pictures.

Ronnie was a kind, patient, generous man that will be greatly missed by many.

Survivors: His wife of 20 years, Jennifer Kay Castillo-Smethers; daughter Erin Rae Burge (Craig); son Ronnie Ray Smethers II (Dayna); aunt Erna Lee Young, sisters Pamla Wayne Stafford (Burr) and Carla K Gambini (Santana);sister-in-law Pam Castillo; grandchildren David Blake Sellars (Kelsey), Colton Klatt, Chelsi Klatt, Cody Klatt, Brant Burge, Caitlin Burge and Chad Burge and great grandchildren Ayden Sellars, Austin Sellars and Andrew Sellars. Several cousins, nieces and nephews.  All will miss him dearly.

A rosary will be recited at 9:30 AM Monday, March 27, 2023 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM with Rev. Gabriel Espinosa officiating.  Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be David Sellars, Craig Burge, Brant Burge, Michael Castillo, Jeffery Castillo and Woody Young.  Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie R. Smethers II, Chester Rigall, Neil Henley, Lino Ramrez, Dillon Mulford and Rafael Herrera.