Dennis Ray Smith was born March 8, 1956, at Coffey County Hospital in Burlington. He passed away September 9, 2022 at his home in Le Roy on his dad's 99 ^th birthday.

The oldest son of Junior and Lorean (French) Smith, Dennis grew up in the Hamilton community, attended Hamilton Elementary school and graduated from Hamilton High School in the class of 1974. As a teenager he worked in Hamilton during the summer for Long Drilling Company in which we went on to work for the next 23 years. Following Long Drilling he became a part of Cross Oil. After 13 years with Cross Oil, Dennis found work with Schindler Oil Company in Madison.  With the downturn of oil prices in 2016 his long career of 42 years in the oil field came to an end. He used his experiences as a truck driver to spend the next 6 years driving a delivery truck for Countertop Trends in Gridley until his health would no longer allow him to continue.

On March 12, 1977 he married his high school sweetheart, Sandra (Carson) Smith in Eureka, Kansas. Over twelve years later, they welcomed their first son, Beau.  Two years later they would welcome their son, Trevor. The boys were the light of his life and he spent all of his free time with them hunting, fishing and, of course, playing any sport with a ball. Their favorite was always baseball.

As a young man, Dennis had a passion for slow pitch softball. He would play for many different teams in the area often playing three nights a week plus weekends. He gathered with many friends and created fun memories along the way. One of the most rewarding things he would be throughout his life was coach youth baseball programs. He ended his coaching career with his sons, Beau and Trevor in American Legion Baseball.

In November of 2015, a wonderful addition to the family was Beau marrying Jessica Wilson. He was so happy to finally have a daughter. 1 year later, we welcomed out first grandchild, little miss Jaylyn Rae and she was the star of her papa's world with a very special bond. The next additions would be little miss Whitlee Jo and grandson Boone Michael. Dennis was even lucky enough to have two other very special littles bonuses in his life, Gregory and Kolbie. Anytime any of the five children walked through the door, with their noses clean, it would beam with energy and excitement. These moments were the most special times of our life.

Throughout Dennis's life, he served in several public service positions. He was a 16 year member of the Hamilton USD 390 School Board, a volunteer fireman, and head of the Hamilton Recreation Commission.

In 2009 following the build of their dream home, the family relocated to Le Roy.

Survivors of Dennis include his wife of 45 years Sandra, son Beau and wife Jessica of New Strawn, Trevor and significant other Marissa of Le Roy, 3 grandchildren, Jaylyn Rae, Whitlee Jo and Boone Michael and two special little bonuses Gregory and Kolbie Watts. Brother, Randy (Sheila) Smith of Hamilton, sister Rhonda (JP) Gulick of Eureka, sister-in-laws, Susan (John) Martin and Cindy (Darel) Hardin all of Emporia, brother-in-law, Duane Carson of Abilene. Nieces and nephews, Jeff ( Kaitlynn) Smith, Bubba (Tiara) Smith, Samantha Black (Jason), Stephen Taylor, Dustin (Heather) Hardin, Shannon Hardin, Brent Hardin, Brad (Belinda) Martin, Kim Blagrave, Jadrien Carson, Clayton Carson; many other relatives and friends.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents Junior and Lorean, brother, Roger and in-laws, Robert and Maxine Carson.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. Burial will follow at Janesville Cemetery at Hamilton, KS.

The family will meet with friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. The casket will remain closed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Burlington Recreation Commission for the youth Baseball/Softball program and these may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.