Ronald Keith Smith

Ronald K. Smith was born with his identical twin Phillip L. Smith in Germany, to Shirley Sephton Smith and Ted Smith. Phil and Ron's wife were alongside him when he died July 31, 2023, the twins were still laughing and talking trash together. They loved nothing more than scuba diving, sailing together and listening to music while they discussed their favorite boats, books, and meals. Typical of New Orleanians, they discussed their future meals while eating their current one. Ron's nieces and nephews l oved him because he was RATHER lenient i.e. he did whatever they asked. He was also loved and was loved by his sister Robbie Quick and many step sisters and brothers. He graduated H.S. in Baker, LA and college at SLU, Hammond, LA. He was the first in his family to graduate college. Ron joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary on the North Shore and taught seamanship and safety. Ron enjoyed sharing his love and knowledge of sailing. He and his wife Julie spent a year sailing their boat 'Bluebird' to the Bahamas and up the East Coast of the USA. He often reminisced about it as the trip of a lifetime. He was always up for a festival, taking the ferry to the Quarter or going to any museum or garden. He hosted many a visitor to New Orleans and wanted them to enjoy the city as much as he did. Ron was much loved by his first and second set of in laws and showed them every kindness. He was first married to Ann Pittman and loved by her nephews as well. He was a dependable long time employee of WST Electric , then of Pellerin Milnor and made many good friends at both jobs. His greatest joy in life was being on the water with his twin. In keeping with Ron's wishes there will be no service so read a good book, walk in a garden or go for a sail and give him a thought. Ron had hoped to pursue a career in aviation but at 15 was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes which altered all his plans and ended many of his dreams. In lieu of flowers the family would be grateful for donations to the Juvenile Diabetic Research Foundation (JDRF) which has the stated purpose of accelerating life changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat Type 1 diabetes. He was preceded in death by his parents Ted and Shirley Smith, stepmother (Ernestine), stepsister (Heidirose M. Pope ) and stepfather (Robert Quick) stepsister (Ann Quick) and brother in law Fred Thompson. He is survived by his wife Julie Aeschliman, his brother Phil Smith and sister Robbie Quick (Raymond Guilbeau) and niece Logan L. Guilbeau. His uncle and aunt Marion and Betty Sephton. Stepsisters Georgiann Thompson (nieces Amanda, Elizabeth and Sarah, nephew Fred) Katherine Quan (David) (nephews Andrew and Scott) Holly Hydorn (Kevin) (nieces Miranda, Rachel, and Erin) Carol Quick Stepbrothers Randy Yates (Linda). (niece Valeria) Robert Quick Ricky Quick and many great nieces, nephews, and cousins. Thank you to Ron's good friends Pastor Ron Sutto and his wife , Karen for their support and comfort throughout his illnesses and to his friends for the good wishes and prayers sent from California to Virginia . New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service "Celebrating Life" www.nofcs.com

Ronald Keith Smith

January 4, 1956 - July 31, 2023