Michael Ray Smith

Michael Ray Smith, age 58, of Coleman, died Friday, July 7, 2023, at his residence with his family by his side.

The family will host a visitation at 1:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service celebrating his life at 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 10, 2023, at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Bob Martin, pulpit minister at Winters Church of Christ, officiating. A private family interment will follow in the Glen Cove Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, in Coleman.

Michael was born July 31, 1964, in Coleman to James Wilburn Smith and Peggy Joyce Whittington Smith. He grew up for a brief time in Coleman and then moved with his family to Venezuela and Columbia from 1965 to 1975 while his father worked in the oil field. Michael then returned with his family to Coleman and graduated from Talpa-Centennial in 1982. After graduation, Michael attended Tarleton State University and Texas Tech University. He married Synda Dieterich on December 10, 1988, at Elm Street Church of Christ in Coleman. Michael worked as an Engineer Specialist for the Texas Department of Transportation for 35 years.

Michael enjoyed fishing, hunting, feeding his cows, woodworking and welding. He could build and fix anything and worked with extreme perfection while performing those jobs. Michael also inherited his mother’s ability to be an expert gardener. His proudest role was being a husband, father, and soon to be grandfather. Michael loved his family immensely. His love, laughter, and kindness will be missed.

Preceding Michael in death are his father, James Wilburn Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Synda Smith of Coleman; one son, Colton Smith and wife Breanna of Brownwood; his soon to be grandson, Paxton Michael Smith; his mother, Peggy Smith of Coleman; two sisters, Sonya Lee of Waco and Cynthia Merryman and husband Ted of Clyde; his father and mother in law, James and Wanda Dieterich of Coleman; his brother in law, Bryan Dieterich and wife Kim of Potosi; and multiple nephews.

The family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in memory of Michael be sent to the Coleman County Youth Activity Center, P.O. Box 766, Coleman, Texas 76834 or to the Coleman County Youth Sports Complex at www.squareup.com/store/coleman-county-youth-sports.

We invite you to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Smith family by signing on the virtual guest book on Michael’s tribute page at www.stevensfuneralhome.com.  Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Smith family.