Ray Smith

Ray Anthony Smith, 57, passed away in his sleep at Valley View Hospice Center on Wednesday, September 9, 2015. His longtime friend of 23 years Veronica Contreras and their son Ruban Smith together with his nephew Gabriel Rhodes had been by his side every day since he fell ill this past July 31, 2015. He was born to Ernest and Bernice Smith of Camp Verde on May 21, 1958. Ray attended Camp Verde High School where he excelled in various sports. Ray was currently the owner of his retail business R n R T-Shirts \u0026 Gifts located in Camp Verde. There he would display and sell his artistic side of his Native American artworks on his t-shirts. Ray was also a woodcarver and made the most exquisite wooden feathers of all sizes. In the past he was a firefighter for the Yavapai-Apache Nation, together with the Camp Verde Forest Service. Ray was an avid outdoorsman. He loved being out in the wilderness. Camping, hiking, fishing and sports were his favorite hobbies. This year, Ray was committed in a joint venture of the Faith Hope Cure Ruban Benefit events held in Cottonwood. These benefits were to gain donations for Stem Cell injections to help his son find a cure for Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Ray is survived by his son Ruban Smith of Camp Verde; his brother Norman Smith (Priscilla) and sister Donna Nightpipe (Francis) of Camp Verde. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends who played very important roles in his life. He was preceded in death by his father Ernest Smith; mother Bernice Smith; brother Henry Smith; sisters Ernestine Gardner and Doris Smith and 2 infant sons each named Ray Smith Jr. A viewing will be held Wednesday, September 16th at Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Ave in Cottonwood between 5:00pm 7:00pm. The service will held on Thursday, September 17th also at Westcott Funeral Home at 10:30am with burial to follow at Valley View Cemetery in Clarkdale. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations be made to the Faith Hope Cure Ruban benefit fund at Country Bank of Arizona; 597 E. State Route 89A, Cottonwood, AZ 86326. An online guestbook is available to sign at www.westcottfuneralhome.com