Ralph Lamuel Smith Jr.

Mr. Ralph Lamuel “R.L.” Smith, Jr., age 90, of Tega Cay, SC, died Friday, July 21, 2017 at his home. He was born July 12, 1927, in Paw Creek, NC, to the late Ralph L. and Gladys Smith. He grew up in the western part of Mecklenburg County and graduated from Paw Creek High School in 1944 and as soon as turning 17, entered into service in the Army Air Corp. After his time in service, he graduated from North Carolina State in 1952, with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.Mr. Smith worked for E.I. DuPont for 16 years then went into consulting engineering for the remainder of his working years. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and held a Private Pilot’s License at the time of his death. He always said he was one of the luckiest persons he knew because he had the opportunity to work in such a varied career, in nuclear energy, textiles, chemical, aluminum, engineering and design and major construction throughout all of the United States. He was very proud of the fact that on every site management project he was involved with, not one was over budget or over the time scheduled and not one ever ended up in a court case. Over his long career, he met many friends and was able to keep in contact with a large number of them up until the time of his death. This past year he was honored to serve as the Grand Marshal of the July 4th Tega Cay Parade.He was married twice, his first wife, Jessie Barbee gave him four children: Ralph Daniel, Dr. Karan Barbee, Jeffrey Alan (Charlotte) and Mary Alison (Brian). His second wife, Norma Gene Wilson (deceased) gave him four additional daughters. Gerri (Roy), Debby (Dr. Roger), Mindy (Dr. Robert) and Lisa (Danny). He has 15 grandchildren and 15 great-¬grandchildren. He has two brothers, Kenneth of Columbia, SC and Dr. Douglas of Charlotte, NC; along with a number of nieces and nephews.A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 28, 2017 at Philadelphia Methodist Church, 1691 Highway 160 West, Fort Mill, SC 29708. The family will receive friends at the church fellowship hall following the service.In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Philadelphia Methodist Church.Read Obituary