Raymond Gene (Sonny) Smith, 71, of Columbus, Kan., passed away at 3:05 a.m. Sunday, May 6, 2012, at Medicalodge in Columbus, following a lengthy illness.

He was born in Picher, Okla., Sept. 6, 1940, to the union of Dorris D. and Avanell (Kirk) Smith. He attended ementary school in Treece, Kan., and High School in Columbus, before enlisting in the Air Force in 1957, and was honorably discharged in May of 1961, as a A/IC E4. He lived in Wichita, Kan., following military service. He worked for Cessna and Lear Jet for 15 years before moving back to Treece. He then worked for St. Johns of Joplin, Mo., then the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant for six years before returning to work at St. Johns for a total of nine years before retiring due to health issues.

He married Carol Joann Bender Sept. 20, 1962, and they divorced March 23, 1992. He then married May Ann Patterson Jan. 6, 1995, and they divorced Feb. 15, 2002. He remained friends with both Carol and Mae Ann.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Keith Allen Smith; and a granddaughter.

Survivors include a sister, Barbara Poor, of the home; a son, Mark Garrison, of Joplin; a daughter, Carla Leann Smith and husband, Joe, of Grove, Okla., a daughter, Debbie Joann Connor, of Chetopa, Kan.; a step daughter, Melissa Taylor, of Diamond, Mo.; and a niece, Cindy Poor, of the home; grandchildren, Amanda, Travis, Justin, Ryan, Caleb and Sarah; two step grandchildren, Kade and Kole; and three great-grandchildren.

You're a good man, Charlie Brown, from sis.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, at Greenlawn Cemetery with Pastor Rick Prideaux officiating. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus. Friends may call any time after 10 a.m. Tuesday.