Royal Ike Smith (1961-2017)

SMITH, TAYLOR, BITTING, GINDER, ROENSPIESS

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

From Rasmusson-Bacon Funeral Home & Crematory obituary, Nevada and Maxwell, Story County, Iowa:

Royal Ike Smith, 56 of Cambridge, passed away on July 24, 2017, surrounded by family after a year long, hard fought battle with cancer.

Royal was born on May 23, 1961, in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Carey “Ike” and Birdell “Birdie” (Taylor) Smith. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1979. He met his wife, Joyce, in 1978 while both working at Kmart. Royal and Joyce married in Ottumwa May 30, 1981. In 1980 they moved to central Iowa, both still working for Kmart and moved around a couple of times before settling on an acreage outside of Cambridge in 1986. They lived there for 21 happy years before moving into town in 2007. In October of 1986 they welcomed a daughter, Julianne and in October of 1989 a son, Andrew.

Royal left Kmart and worked at Food Stores at Iowa State University for 17 years. Royal also helped his father with his fur-buying business for many years. Royal was always buying and selling used cars on the side and in 1998, he followed his dream of opening his own used car dealership in Cambridge, Iowa. This was a family business, and everyone was involved in running it. Royal enjoyed attending the weekly car auctions, sharing stories and breakfast with the other dealers. Royal worked at Iowa State while also running the dealership but eventually retired from Iowa State to solely run his own successful, small town, family business for 19 years. Royal prided himself on being a fair, honest salesman and had many satisfied and repeat customers over the years. He was also very creative and wrote very entertaining advertisements for his cars. Many people read his ads just for a laugh, whether they needed a car or not.

Royal was a very giving person and very present in his kids’ lives. He would be the one giving money out to all the kids at the little league ball games so they could buy candy at the concession stand. He also sponsored his son’s soccer team one year, providing them with uniforms. He very rarely missed a sporting or school event. He instilled a hard work ethic and a “don’t quit” attitude into his kids.

Royal was someone you could always count on when you needed help. He would drop what he was doing to help someone in need. He was always concerned with making sure there was enough food at get togethers, which always resulted in way too much food leftover. He always made sure that food got sent home to those that were not able to attend and/or prepared a plate and took it to them himself.

In recent years, Royal enjoyed traveling with his wife a couple times each year and camping at the river on the weekends. He loved spending time with his two grandkids and getting together as a family often.

Those left to honor Royal’s memory are his wife of 36 years, Joyce; his children: Julie (Chris) Bitting and Andy Smith both of Cambridge; his grandchildren: Cayden and Lucy Bitting; his sister, Renee Ginder; his brother, Creston Roenspiess; along with many brothers and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ike and Birdie.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 27 at Rasmusson-Bacon Funeral Home in Nevada. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 28 also at the funeral home with Pastor Marcia Kisner officiating. Burial will follow at Cambridge Cemetery. Royal requested casual attire.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice in Johnston.

Rasmusson-Bacon Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements.