Ronald Lynn Smith

Ronald Lynn Smith, 82, of Bedford, Texas, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2023, following a brief illness, with family by his side.

A joint memorial service will be held for Ron and Sylvia, his wife of 40 years, at 1 p.m. on Monday, August 7, 2023, in the chapel of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, 800 West Fifth Street, Fort Worth, Texas, with inurnment in the church columbarium.

Ron was born on September 22, 1940, to Russell Malcolm and Helen Lucille (Gridley) Smith. He grew up on the family farm in Jefferson, Iowa, the eldest of three brothers, and attended Paton Consolidated High School.

After graduating, he went off to Iowa State University, receiving a degree in industrial administration in 1962. That summer, he worked as an orderly at the Mary Greeley Memorial Hospital in Ames, Iowa, an experience he credited as the most important of his career. During these school years, he met and married his first wife, Jacqueline Yarger.

Ron pursued a master's degree in hospital and health administration at the University of Iowa, writing his thesis on the feasibility of using computers in the hospital. For his administrative residency, he told them to send him “anywhere warmer than Iowa” and was matched with Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth. When he graduated in 1965, he accepted a job at Harris, and Ron and Jackie moved to Texas, where they raised three children: Sheri, Greg, and Brent.

In 1976, at age 36, Ron became President and CEO of Harris Methodist Health System and served in that role until his retirement in the year 2000. During his career, he oversaw steady growth of the hospital system, including the construction of Harris Southwest. He also drove the development of the Harris Methodist Health Plan and was proud of his part in the formation of the CareFlite air ambulance service.

Ron was active in charity and community organizations, serving in leadership roles with United Way, Easter Seals, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Texas Christian University, and state and congressional healthcare advisory groups, among others.

Following a divorce, he married Sylvia Jo Grotjan in 1982. Ron and Sylvia raised one son, Russell, born in 1986. They were active in the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth.

Ron enjoyed spending time outdoors on his horse ranch in Crowley, Texas, at first keeping Appaloosas and later training Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds that he raced in and around Texas.

After selling the ranch and retiring from Harris, he found a new passion running an independent insurance agency. With the help of Sylvia, he spent the next 18 years guiding friends new and old in choosing the best Medicare coverage for their needs.

Ron will be remembered for his imaginative vision, his untiring tenacity, and his cheerful attitude toward life. He continued to serve others until his final days, never hesitating to help anyone who crossed his path.

Ron is survived by his daughter, Sheri (Joseph) Parris; his three sons, Gregory (Heather), Brenton (Lin), and Russell Smith; seven grandchildren; and his brothers, Clifford (Donna) and Steven (Elise) Smith.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) or First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth.

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