Richard Smith

Richard “Rick” Smith passed away on May 22, 2023 in Orange Park, FL. He was born on January 5, 1951 in Cincinnati, OH, to the late James Kenneth Smith and Helen Christine Burton. 

Rick resided in Shelbyville, IN, and attended Shelbyville High School. Later, he graduated from Sullivan College and received an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and Management. Rick graduated from Northwood University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He worked for Shelby Steel, later known as O’Neal Steel, for 42 years. Rick was promoted and moved the family to Fort Wayne, IN, Madisonville, KY, Evansville, IN, Louisville, KY, Pittsburgh, PA, and to his favorite place, Jacksonville, FL. 

Rick was a wonderful husband, devoted son, father, brother, uncle, and a friend to many wherever he was. He was a member of Crestwood United Methodist Church and board member CDD Eagle Landing. 

Rick was an avid golfer for 50 years and a member and resident of Eagle Landing Golf Club for 17 years. He loved fishing with his good friend, Scott Young. Rick enjoyed basketball, softball, running and playing the guitar. He loved to dance and was a partner in Beyond Just Dance studio with Muhidin Divovic for over 14 years. Rick and his wife, Janie, owned and operated a Peterbrooke Chocolate Shop on Fleming Island for nine years. 

Rick was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; sister, Kathleen Faye Smith; brother, James I. Smith; and stepfather, Leonard Burton. 

Rick is survived by his wife of 37 years, Janie E. Ritchie Smith; daughter, Meghan E. Smith; stepson, Philip C. Burnett; grandchildren, Skye N. Burnett, Jacen. Burnett and Cooper L. Burnett; great-grandchildren, Iizen Burnett, Madison Bailey and Ethan Bailey; sister, Deborah Freeman; nephew, Troy Smith (Patty); a host of great nieces and nephews, other family members and friends. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Eagle Landing Country Club, 3989 Eagle Landing Parkway, Orange Park, FL 32065. 

Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073, (904) 264-1233, is serving the family. 

The family wishes to thank Racing for ALS - Scott Lloyd, Team Gleason for ALS and Dr. Michael Pulley of UF Health Shands Hospital. 

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