| Bio | Roderick Earl Smith
June 25, 1965 - May 7, 2024
Roderick (Rick) Earl Smith was born on June 25, 1965, to the union of Shirley (Smith) Watson and Raymond Smith Sr.
He was educated in the Kansas City, Missouri School District. He graduated from Van Horn High School in 1983. Roderick participated in the work-study program at Van Horn and interned with IBM. This internship ignited his passion to pursue higher education. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) with a degree in Economics in 1990, where he pledged the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. April of 1985. He continued his education graduating from the UMKC Law School in 1993, earning his Juris Doctorate.
As a child, he was called Ricky, as he grew, so did his name. He first started to go by Rick as a young adult and then professionally as Roderick. He valued family and was very protective of his brothers Raymond, Jr. and Richard (deceased). He was devoted to the care of his mother and his father, who was paralyzed when Rick was 12 years old. This was the foundation for his love of family.
Rick was smart, quick-witted, clever, creative, unique, thinking out of the box, following my own rules, and sensitive person. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and created opportunities for himself and others. If you had an issue, he always knew how to solve it and you could trust he would get it done. He created a Vitamin C serum that worked magic for sunburns and severely dry skin. He was a car, clothes, shoes, fashion, anything, sports, workout, travel, and concoction enthusiast. If you knew him in college, you know the red low-rider Toyota truck he made into a convertible. He had a cousin who, as a gifted artist, executed his vision for a jacket. For his family Christmas Cruise in 2023, he created a family crest and had it embroidered on hats, sweatsuits, and sweaters. If there was a sporting event, NFL, NBA, or MLB, he was watching in the stadiums or on television. He traveled with his brother Raymond to playoff games, including the Finals. If the Lakers were playing, he was watching, no matter what.
Rick got his first job at age 14, without his mother’s knowledge, because he wanted to buy a specific pair of shoes. He would continue to work for things he wanted and to provide for his family as a camp counselor, fitness trainer, car salesman, supervisor at General Motors and UPS, contractor, and law clerk. Overall, his passion was the practice of law. This career used all aspects of his personality and talents. He sharpened his skills working with the Basil North Law Firm and later formed a successful solo practice.
At the age of 17, he was introduced to his wife, Glenda, at the NYSP summer camp. They were married on October 30, 1993. They had three children, Miya Alys in January 1993, Roderick Mbembe in August 1995, and Rian Ashanti Phoenix in 1999.
Rick was a loving and devoted father who would create opportunities for anything his children expressed an interest in. He was always supportive of their endeavors. His children often called him for advice or just to be a listening ear. If he detected any hint of distress, he was on the road or in the air to where they were. St. Louis, Nashville, or Dallas -- it didn’t matter.
Rick’s passion for education was a standard for his children. This was evident by the time spent on Saturdays at the UMKC-School of Medicine, Saturday Academy Science and Math enrichment, or The Upper Room summer camps, or the WEB Dubois learning center. They attended summer college programs at Davidson University, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, and Duke. His efforts resulted in his children earning scholarships to attend institutions of higher education. He was very proud of his children’s accomplishments. Miya graduated from Vanderbilt University and attended Meharry Medical College, where she received her MD. She completed her Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Chicago. She continued her education by pursuing a fellowship in Medical Toxicology at the University of Texas-Southwestern. Roderick was an Ervin Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri where he ran track and earned a BA in Economics. Rick would travel to his track meets. Rian earned his associate degree at Metropolitan Community College Penn Valley while in high school, and graduated from UMKC with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration.
Rick extended his fatherly care to many youths. He would encourage them in education, self-esteem, sports, and life. He had a saying: “B’s Are for Bums.” This encouraged one young lady to strive for all A’s. His stature and style served as a magnet for kids. He supported his children in sports from an early age. He would volunteer to coach or take on jobs to provide his children with sports opportunities in tennis, track, golf, soccer, swimming, football, and basketball.
Rick loved to travel. Christmas cruising was his favorite. He cruised the Mediterranean, visited Vietnam and he loved all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Morales, Mexico.
To cherish his memory, he leaves his wife, Glenda; children, Miya, Roderick and Rian; brother, Raymond (Monica) Smith Jr.; sister, Heather Watson (Dalontee Edgerton); uncles, David Smith and John Lipscomb; nephews and nieces, Shantell Perry, Raymond (Hoda) Smith III, Richard Smith, Jayla Ward, Jedaiah Ward, Dalontee Edgerton Jr., Drew Edgerton; great-nephews, Raymond Smith, IV, Sy’aire Roberts; and great-niece, Emani Smith; mother-in-law, Shirley Walker; sister-in-law, Cynthia Ward; brother-in-law, Leland (Randie) Ward; and host of cousins and friends.
Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc. |
