Richard Steven Smock

– Richard Steven Smock lost his battle of cancer on September 4, 2019 and Heaven gained “our” Angel. A graveside service will be held 10:30 Saturday, September 7, 2019 at The Colony Cemetery, West of Ranger on Hwy 101.
Richard Smock was born on May 31, 1950 in Lynwood, CA, at the Saint Francis Hospital in Los Angeles County to Chester Leroy and Lois Joy (Thompson) Smock. Richard was baptized in the Catholic Church.
He married Betty Jean (Stagner) Smock on May 23, 2003 in Elko, NV.
Preceding him in death are his parents, a brother; Mike Smock and a sister, Carol Lynn (Smock) Beckett. Also preceding him in death, a dear buddy (Game Warden) Dick Corley and band members of the Shore Country Band; Ben McRee and Richard Jackson.
He is survived by his wife Betty Smock of Lake Leon, three daughters by marriage; Sandra and Lt. Chris Wuorinen of Abilene, Anessa and Chuck Billingsley of Shepherd, TX and Jennifer and Mike Foraker of Santo, TX, four grandchildren “he loved dearly” and they loved their “Papa” very much; Brayden Cole and Cadence Rae Smith of Santo, and Christen Sage and Casandra Elise of Abilene. Richard is also survived by a cousin, Mark and Jeani Thompson of Midwest City, OK, and dearly, close nephews; Jesse Beckett and wife Maureen, Mackey and Emery Beckett all of Austin.
The best of best friends; Mike and Ginabeth Prater and Chuck and Cynthia Dollins of Breckenridge, Joe and Kathy Smith, Steve and Juaniece Miller, Willie and Josh Campbell all of Rockport, TX and Dr. Bob and Phyllis Harp of Gore, OK.
All of the CR 564 best neighbors anyone could want and appreciate all they have done; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Crume, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Thomason, Mr. and Mrs. James Bruton, and Mr. and Mrs. James Wells. And his favorite and dearest loving companion, Felicia!
Richard was an Entomologist, experienced in Landscaping and general commercial/residential pest control. He owned Smock’s Garden Center in Breckenridge and with his wife Betty, owned “Aggie Pest Control” in Rockport, TX for 15 years, but later relocated to Eastland due to health concerns.
Richard’s professional experience includes a B.S. Degree in Horticulture with a minor in Entomology from South West Texas State University. He also held a State Certification/Nursery, Department of Agriculture, Regulatory State Attorney General’s Office/Grain Fraud Division, Texas Department of Agriculture/Pest Control Inspector, and was certified in Texas Department of Agriculture and the Garden and Pet of Dallas, TX, being awarded “Landscape of the Year”, (McDonalds Corporation) in 1990.
Richard was also a guest host on KLRN Radio in Dallas, distributed a monthly newsletter on gardening, and entertained many public speaking opportunities to Garden Clubs, Extension Service Programs and High School Classes.
Richard will be so deeply missed by all of his family, friends and especially his beloved grandkids.