R.B. Smith

December 21, 1930 – September 28,2016 

R. B. Philbert Smith was born December 21, 1930 to Philbert and Martha (Taylor) Smith at Hale, CO and died September 28, 2016 at the nursing home in Julesburg.

He was the youngest of 4 children. He grew up in the Hale area and attended Happy Hollow School through the 6th grade and later completed his GED.

On June 13, 1948, he married the love of his life, Betty Cook, in Burlington, CO. This past June, they celebrated 68 years of marriage. To this union, 3 children were born: Linda (David) Deiser, Karen (Kent) Wiley, and Michael (JoEllen Statler). After marrying, they lived in Burlington for a short time and later moved to a farm north of Burlington where he operated the family farm for over 50 years.

He enjoyed being around animals and liked having a herd of cattle. He was always considered a mentor for many “city kids” and would often invite them to his farm to teach them about farming. R.B. loved being around people and socializing everywhere he went.

He was a loving father and grandfather, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and a devoted husband to his wife, Betty. He accepted Christ as a young man and became a long time member of the First Baptist Church.

He was a city police officer and was later a Kit Carson County Commissioner in District #1 serving a 3-year term. He was part of the crew that built Bonny Reservoir and later worked as a Park Ranger for Colorado State Parks at Bonny Reservoir. He enjoyed his work as a Park Ranger and loved conversations with the park visitors. He enjoyed ATV riding, snowmobiling, going to auctions, demolition derby’s, family gatherings, taking family pictures, and playing/teasing his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

R.B. was preceded in death by his parents and 3 sisters: Cora (Wilford) Albertson, Louise (Ira) Barnhart, and Sylvia (Glen) Weaver and one son-in-law, Kent Wiley. He is survived by his wife, Betty, their 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.

Services were held in the First Baptist Church in Burlington CO on Saturday October 1, 2016

Arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.