ULYSSES – Ronnie Adrian Smith, 76, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2024 at Western Prairie Senior Living Community in Ulysses.
He was born Dec. 5, 1949 to George and Norma Jean (Meyer) Smith.
He married Jeryl Annette Flinn April 12, 1980. She survives.
He graduated from Ulysses High school in 1968. He attended Hutchinson Community College for a semester then worked as a welder’s assistant in Texas.
He enlisted in the United States Army serving three years, including Vietnam and Germany. After an honorable discharge, he returned to college and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and a master’s degree in administration and secondary education from Fort Hays State University.
He began his teaching career in Smith Center. He later taught Spanish and Language Arts for 19 years, was an assistant principal for 20 years, a wrestling coach for eight years, and served 11 years as a school board member for USD 214.
He was also a board member for eight years on the Grant County Fair Board and also served on the High Plains Education Board.
He enjoyed hunting, taking fishing trips, incubating and releasing quail, and supporting the students of USD 214 in all their activities and sports.
He was a member of Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ulysses.
Survivors include sister, Linda Pearl Galcatcher Haikey, Holcomb; nephews: Dakota Dezelske, Ian Dezelske, and Patrick Aller and wife, Andrea; nieces: Brenna Aller and husband, Fernando Rivas, Sidney Flinn, and Riley Flinn; great-nieces and nephews; and many friends and former students.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Nancy Jo Smith; father-in-law, Clifford Flinn; and stepfather-in-law, Frank Stramel.
• Rosary will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ulysses.
Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ulysses, with Reverend Eric Gyamfi presiding. The service will be streamed on the Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page.
Burial will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery with military honors by Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79.
Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses.
Memorials are suggested to the Western Prairie Senior Living Community, Ulysses High School Wrestling Department or Furever Friends in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, KS 67880.
Condolences may be left at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
