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Richard "Dick" Earl Smith, 83, of Mooresville, NC, formerly of Charlotte, NC, went to be with the Lord, on Friday, November 22, 2024. He was born November 6, 1941, to the late Howard Bryant Smith and Clara Selby Smith. He proudly served his country in the US Army where he earned the rank of Captain. He was stationed at the Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia, PA. Dick earned his PhD at Virginia Tech. He had a very accomplished career as a Metallurgical Engineer and was still working on special projects at the time of his passing. He received a very special honor in 2010 in recognition of his outstanding and distinguished contributions to enhance the advancement of science, technology, and application of welding from the American Welding Society. He was selected for an award as Fellow on November 1, 2010, in Atlanta, GA. He was essential in designs that are now utilized at nuclear power plants and has traveled the world sharing his knowledge and expertise. Dick and his wife, Judy, are dedicated members of Trinity Baptist Church in Mooresville. It was there, that they loved to serve and worship our incredible Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dick was very outgoing. He never knew a stranger. He was the kind of man you just wanted to know and could not help but love. He loved family get togethers and sharing delicious home cooked meals. In fact, he loved food anywhere!! He was a delight to cook for as he was the kind of person that loved ANYTHING you fixed. Dick was the "ROCK" of our family and guided us all through good times and bad. Family was his priority. In his younger days, he was an avid fisherman. He had a real love for playing golf. He was also a fantastic ping-pong player and enjoyed serious challenges with other avid players. Dick will forever be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, PawPaw, brother, uncle, and a very special friend. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Howard B. Smith, Jr., also known as "Buck". Dick leaves a lasting legacy to be cherished by his survivors, loving wife of 60 years, Judy Hobbs Smith; daughters, Stephanie Arnette, of Mooresville, and Rebecca Keever and husband, Mark, of Mooresville; grandchildren, Sarah Dunagan and husband, Galen, of Mooresville, Savannah Rich and husband, Tyler of Jonesborough, TN, Gavin Arnette of Charlotte, Ashlyn Mickley of Rochester, NY, and a host of nieces, nephews, and special friends. A private service for the Celebration of Dick's Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Baptist Church, for the new building fund, PO Box 3365, Mooresville, NC 28117. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Smith family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

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Richard Earl Smith

November 6, 1941 - November 22, 2024