Earl Smith

E. Rodney Rod Smith, 76, of Alto died on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at Lincoln County Medical Center in Ruidoso. He is preceded in death by his parents Ethel Smith Bryerton and Frank Smith of Newark, DE. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Hill Smith of Alto; daughter, Sharon L. Smith of Baltimore, MD; son, Marc R. Smith and his wife Kimberlee and grandchildren, Madeleine H. Smith and Samuel H. Smith of Ruidoso; and his sister, Shirley Wyatt of Newark, DE.

Rod was born in West Grove, PA and graduated from Newark High School and attended Goldie Beacom College in Wilmington, DE. He was employed at the Chryser Corporation Newark Assembly Plant in Delaware for 38 years. After serving in the U.S. Army for two years he and Cynthia made their home in Wilmington DE, they then retired to Wilmington, NC and then they moved to Alto three years ago. Rod was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed building anything in his workshop.

Rod was a life member of the Newark Volunteer Fire Dept., a former member of the Newark Lions Club, a member of the Noon Lions Club in Ruidoso, and a past member of the Buccaneer Gun Club in Wilmington, NC. He belonged to the Delaware Freemasons, Hiram Lodge and the National Rifle Association. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ruidoso.

A Celebration of his life is planned for Sunday, November 22, at 2:00 PM in the First Presbyterian Church of Ruidoso. Memorials may be made to the Memorial Fund at the First Presbyterian Church in Ruidoso or the Noon Lions Club of Ruidoso.

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