Richard 'Dick' Smith

April 18, 1942 — June 22, 2025

Louisburg, Kansas

Richard “Dick” Smith, age 83 formerly of Pleasanton, Kansas, passed away in Olathe, Kansas, on Sunday, June 22, 2025. He was born the son of Charles Dixon and Gertrude (Bristow) Smith on April 18, 1942, in Butler, Missouri.

He graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1960 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in auto tech from Pittsburg State University. Dick was a car dealer and salesman, starting his career with Cox Motors in Pleasanton. He went on to own his own dealership, Dick Smith Ford in Paola, Kansas.

Throughout the years he was very astute at buying and selling cars. Fords were his favorite make of cars. He also tested the waters in drag racing and driving in the alcohol funny-car class. Dick was an avid sports fan and loved watching NASCAR, drag racing and the Indy car racing, the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs. He was a jokester, and a huge storyteller, some would even say that they would reach the “fish-tale” status. But he absolutely loved the family get togethers and barbeques.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Dick is survived by his wife of twenty-four years, Rosemary; a son, Richard Patrick Smith(Annie); a daughter, Abbie Smith-Perina(Clay); a stepson, Keith Estle (Robyn); and a stepdaughter, Kimberly Kring (Jon); ten grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Contributions are suggested to the United Methodist Church of Louisburg or the KU Hospice House. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com

(Published in the Linn County Journal on June 25, 2025.)