Kerrin Ray Smith, age 82, of Johnson, Kansas, died Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, Kansas. He was born on December 12, 1940, in Gutherie, Oklahoma, the son of Walter Reed and Mattie (Easterling) Smith.
Kerrin married Sharon Archer on March 21, 1964, in Ada, Oklahoma. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Northwestern College in Alva, Oklahoma. Kerrin taught high school math and science in Winchester, Kansas, for three years before moving to Johnson in 1968 where he taught until his retirement in 2002. In the summers, he painted houses and was active with the Boy Scouts. He enjoyed reading, working word and math puzzles, rock hunting, and had an interest in geology. Kerrin will be remembered for his sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon of their home; son, Travis Smith and wife Janel of Leander, Texas; daughter, Elizabeth Rocha and husband Max of Lytle, Texas; seven grandchildren, Savina and Alexander Smith, Maximo M., Roger, Miguel, Manuel A. and Marcos A. Rocha, Esmeralda Rodriguez and husband Roger; sister, Novella Brown of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; niece, Brenda Smart of Manter, Kansas; and numerous other nieces, nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces.
Kerrin is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Mattie Smith; siblings, Walter Reed Smith, Vastyl Ann Smart, and Philip Gordan Smith; and twin infant grandsons, Maximo and Manuel Rocha.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to High Plains Public Radio or Stanton County Library in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, KS 67855. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.