Obituary of Dennis Ray Smith Jr.

Dennis Ray Smith Jr. was born on October 15, 1965, in Modesto, California and was taken home to be with our Lord on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at the age of 57 in Osage Beach, Missouri.

Dennis (DJ) was the oldest of 3 children born to Dennis Smith Sr. and Linda Bench Smith. He grew up in Turlock, California and was blessed with 2 children Zachary and Joshua. He moved to Missouri in May of 2000.  After several years in truck driving, he settled down and worked for Walmart in Lamar, Missouri and then as a fork lift operator at Ainsworth for several years.  Illness forced him into early retirement in 2017.

He spent the past years of his life enjoying fishing, the outdoors, watching the deer, and the quiet surroundings of Lake of the Ozarks. He developed a passion for hummingbirds and had amassed quite a flock of followers who are looking for him every morning.  Although his health presented challenges, he kept going, always moving forward. 

His family has special memories they shared with him; visits with new family, friends, children, and grandchildren.  Many memories were made out on the front porch with bonfires and conversation on the weekends, trying new restaurants, or over fishing poles.  The amount of people he touched every day is countless.  His sense of humor and funny faces will never be forgotten.

Those left to cherish his memories are his children, Zachary (Kelso) Smith, Joshua Smith of Joplin, Missouri, and Ashly (Matthew) Velting; grandchildren, Violet, Ruby, and Holly Velting; his mother, Linda Smith of Lockwood, Missouri; brother, Derek (Brandy) Smith of Osage Beach, Missouri; sisters, Diane (Patrick) Terry of Lockwood, Missouri and Megan Smith; nieces, Taylor, Sydney, Ashton, Angel, Cassie, Ashley, Danielle, and Zoe; nephews, Cody, William, Brady, and Peyton; great nephews Bentley, Chase, and Colton; great nieces Paislee and Athena; as well as a host of other extend relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Daniel and Wilma Smith; maternal grandparents Melvin and June Bench; and his father Dennis Ray Smith Sr. 

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 pm, Monday, August 8, 2022, at Hedges-Scott Funeral Home in Camdenton, Missouri.  

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

John 14: 1-3