Eric Eugene Smith, son of Gene and Gail Smith, was born on December 20, 1964 in Santa Ana, CA and departed this life on August 5, 2019 at his residence in Dexter at the age of 54.

Mr. Smith was a Marine Veteran and worked at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff; he had a great love and loyalty to his family, his country and his woodworking. 

He was united in marriage to Janet Sadler Smith on February 12, 2000 in Dexter, Mrs. Smith survives in their home in Dexter. 

In addition to his wife Janet, he is survived by his son, Eric Shane Hendrix of Dexter, his granddaughter, Alexis Christian of Colorado Springs, CO; by two grandsons, RJ Phillips of St. Louis, and Nicholas Phillips of Dexter;  by his great-grandson, James Gabriel “Waya” of Colorado Springs, CO; by his parents, Gene and Gail Smith of Bloomfield, by his mother-in-law, Carzenia Sadler of Dexter; by three brothers, Cean Smith and wife Tina of Republic, MO, Richard “Pete” Smith of Dexter, and Chris Smith and wife Christine of Celina, TN; by two sisters, Jamie Smith-Mays and husband Eddie of Bloomfield, and Trisha Smith-Sprouse and husband Dave of Springfield, MO; by nine nephews and seven nieces, Chelsea Woodruff and husband Kenneth, Cean K. Smith, Keely Smith and fiancé Zack, Merena Smith and husband Shae, Marley Francis, Ricky Bowers, Kenny Smith, Kelli Smith and fiancé Zane, Aaron Mays and wife Kelsie, Alexis and Austin Sprouse; and by nine great nieces and two great nephews, Henley Woodruff, Gracie and Ana Gee, Colt Smith, Tessa Smith, Charlie Rose, Jaxon Parsons and Madelynn, Raylyn, Jayden and Jentry Mays.  He also had many more family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his son, Gabriel Ryan Sweeney of Dexter; and by his grandparents, Gale & Gladys Williams of Cabool, MO and Paul & Ana Smith of Iola, KS. 

A memorial service, with full Military Honors, will be conducted at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on August 8, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with Mickey Goodwin officiating.   

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements. 

The family has asked that memorials be made in Eric’s name to the Stars and Stripes Museum, 17377 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO 63825.