Robert Albert "Smitty" Smith

ROBERT ALBERT “SMITTY” SMITH Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident, Robert Albert “Smitty” Smith will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 23 at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Pastor Donald Thompson will officiate. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery with military graveside services being conducted by the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Visitation has been set for Monday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ertel Chapel. Smitty was born in Bison, S.D. on September 7, 1940 to William Arthur and Pauline (Sperle) Smith. He passed away at his home on November 17, 2004 at the age of 64. A veteran of the Armed Forces, Smitty served his country during the Korean conflict in the U.S. Army. On December 23, 1958, Smitty married Janet Ann Vetter in Bison, S.D. Together Smitty and Janet shared 45 years of marriage. In his spare time Smitty enjoyed hunting, fishing and making yard ornaments. Surviving him are his wife, Janet Smith of Cortez; children, Alton Smith and wife, Gwen of Kingman, Kans., Becky Ferguson and husband, Bill of Ashland, Kans., Scott Smith and wife, Arles of Farmington, N.M., Don Smith and wife, Bernie of Cortez, Troy Smith and his girlfriend, Carmen Gallegos of Cortez, Steve Smith and his wife, Julie also of Cortez; and 17 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. His four sisters, Vernice Ray of Phoenix, Ariz., Louella Vetter of Bison, S.D., Kathleen Krank of Delton, Mich., and Carol Diebert of Battle Creek, Mich.; and brother, Bill Smith of Shade Hill, S.D. also survive Smitty. His son, William Ray Smith preceded him in death in 1972. Smitty was also preceded in death by his parents, William and Pauline Smith; parents-in-law, Adam and Laura Vetter; brother, Leo Smith; and sister, Delores Krause. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Robert “Smitty” Smith at Vectra Bank.