EDGAR "LEON" SMITH

Edgar "Leon" Smith, 75, of Richmond, MO died Friday, September 9, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Survivors include: his wife, Venita Kay Smith of the home; one son, Stephen Ray Smith and wife,  Tomi of Normangee, TX; one daughter, Tammy Williams  and son-in-law, Mike Williams of Richmond; 8 grandchildren, Travis Smith (Marie), Abby Smith, Samantha Hulslander (Michael), Bo Williams, Annie Bowman Hobbs (Shannon), Avory Beggs  (Brian), Amber Williams and Atalie Williams; 14 great-grandchildren, Tatum Bowman, Peyton Bowman, Karsyn Bowman, Hollis Hobbs, Taylor Smith, MacKenzie Smith, Gage Smith, Teegan Shannon, Landon Hulslander, Natalie Hulslander, Lily Rae Hulslander, Haizley Briant, Sloane Beggs and Emersyn Beggs; and one half sister Mary Jo of the St. Charles, MO area.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Robert F. Smith, his granddaughter Roni Ray Smith and a half-sister Sandra Camden.

Edgar "Leon" Smith was born in Senath, MO near the boot hills on October 14, 1940.

He grew up from meager beginnings.  If you knew Leon, you knew he was very neat, clean and took care of what he had.  He told us stories of his childhood, that he had only one pair of overalls.  Many times he would take his pocket knife to scrape the dirt and grease off his pants to look as good as he could for school.

The family moved to Osceola and then a few years later when his father, Cleo, had an opportunity to rent a farm near Richmond, at the age of 11, Leon drove the tractor from the farm at Osceola to Richmond.  A short time after that Leon's father Cleo purchased a filling station at the edge of Richmond, which came to be known as Smith's Dusty Roads Station.

When Leon was 16 he heard of a young lady that worked at the A & W Drive-In as a carhop, so he borrowed a 1953 Chevy from his friend and went to meet his future wife.

Leon and Kay were married on March 14, 1959.  They had two children, Steve and Tammy.  Leon then purchased the Station from his father and they started their family life where Leon pumped gas, changed tires and did mechanic work.  In the Station, Kay sold milk, bread and groceries.

They later sold the Station and Leon worked for Wollard, Firestone and Chevrolet Garage.

They later moved to Hardin where Leon and Kay raised the children.  From that day forward Leon never received a paycheck from anyone.  He started working in his own shop, doing mechanic work, buying and rebuilding wrecked trucks and equipped them with beds and hoist.  Leon also got into the trucking business with dump trucks and hauling oil.

In 1980, Leon and his family left Hardin and traveled to Le Center, Minnesota to start his Railroad Contracting business, Mid America Crossties.  During the government deregulation of U.S. Railroads, Leon's company removed thousands of miles of railroads, selling millions of ties.  This opportunity entitled Leon and Kay to travel the entire U.S., staying in certain areas from one to four months.  They made many friends and enjoyed the beautiful scenic sights in areas all over. Especially, Montana, the Dakotas, Washington, the South and the East Coast.  Leon loved his work and was very successful which afforded him the opportunity to retire in his mid-50's.

Leon and Kay enjoyed the warm climates in the winter and would return in spring where Leon worked on his many projects.  He loved rebuilding old cars, rehabbing houses, going to car shows and auctions.

Leon was one to always have a project and no matter how hard, he enjoyed them all.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donation be made to Julie Slater to help with her ongoing battle with cancer.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at the William's family home located at 12085 Hwy 13, Richmond, MO 64085.  Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, is in charge of the arrangements.  On-line condolences maybe left to the family at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com