Obituary for Rusty Smith
RUSTY SMITH, 79
EAST LIVERPOOL – Harry Clinton “Rusty” Smith, Jr., of East Liverpool, was welcomed into the arms of his Savior on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Heritage Valley Hospital in Beaver. He was 79.
Born in East Liverpool, on March 24, 1943, he was a son of the late Harry Clinton Smith, Sr. and Lillian Grace Malkin Smith.
A resident of the area all of his life, he was a member of the East Liverpool High School Class of 1961 and later earned his engineering degree at Geneva College. For over 20 years he worked as an electrical engineer at Westinghouse Electric, where he was awarded the George Westinghouse Award. In 1988, he founded Twister Display, Inc., a manufacturer of games and carnival equipment. Rusty patented the world’s first professionally made dunk tank which continues to be the world standard. During his years, as a small business owner, Rusty often commented that the best aspect of his work was the relationships he fostered with his customers and employees. He would say that “there is nothing better than selling fun.”
For many years, he was an active member First Church of the Nazarene in East Liverpool, and most recently he was active at Grace City Church. He had served his churches in many capacities, including Sunday school teacher, basketball coach, board member, and had a heart for evangelism. A supporter of many organizations and causes, his generosity was only surpassed by his faith in God.
He loved the outdoors and was an avid hiker, golfer and lover of nature. He also cherished his time spent in Ft. Myers, Florida and the friends he had made there.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Pamela R. Coleman Smith, at home. The couple married on July 22, 1966. There are three sons: Jeff Smith and his wife, Lisa, of East Liverpool, Jay Smith and his wife, Kim, of East Liverpool, and Jason Smith and his wife, Holly, of Gainesville, Florida. Also left to cherish his memory are eight grandchildren: Joshua Smith (Daniela), Bethany Hall (Brian), Emily Smith (Dean), Justus Smith (Ashley), Ranger Smith, Vita Smith, Malkin Smith, and Declan Smith, and two great-grandchildren: Ezra and Norah Hall.
He is also survived by a sister, Lydia Williams and her husband, Thomas, of Jenison, Michigan, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Rusty was a good man.
Friends may visit Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Dawson Funeral Home. Rusty’s three sons will conduct a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Grace City Church, 225 West 5th Street, East Liverpool. Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery.
Immediately following the service, family and friends will gather at Grace City Church Café for fellowship and remembrance.
Memorial contributions may be made to the House of Grace Resource Center, 225 West 5th Street, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920.
EAST LIVERPOOL – Harry Clinton “Rusty” Smith, Jr., of East Liverpool, was welcomed into the arms of his Savior on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Heritage Valley Hospital in Beaver. He was 79.
Born in East Liverpool, on March 24, 1943, he was a son of the late Harry Clinton Smith, Sr. and Lillian Grace Malkin Smith.
A resident of the area all of his life, he was a member of the East Liverpool High School Class of 1961 and later earned his engineering degree at Geneva College. For over 20 years he worked as an electrical engineer at Westinghouse Electric, where he was awarded the George Westinghouse Award. In 1988, he founded Twister Display, Inc., a manufacturer of games and carnival equipment. Rusty patented the world’s first professionally made dunk tank which continues to be the world standard. During his years, as a small business owner, Rusty often commented that the best aspect of his work was the relationships he fostered with his customers and employees. He would say that “there is nothing better than selling fun.”
For many years, he was an active member First Church of the Nazarene in East Liverpool, and most recently he was active at Grace City Church. He had served his churches in many capacities, including Sunday school teacher, basketball coach, board member, and had a heart for evangelism. A supporter of many organizations and causes, his generosity was only surpassed by his faith in God.
He loved the outdoors and was an avid hiker, golfer and lover of nature. He also cherished his time spent in Ft. Myers, Florida and the friends he had made there.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Pamela R. Coleman Smith, at home. The couple married on July 22, 1966. There are three sons: Jeff Smith and his wife, Lisa, of East Liverpool, Jay Smith and his wife, Kim, of East Liverpool, and Jason Smith and his wife, Holly, of Gainesville, Florida. Also left to cherish his memory are eight grandchildren: Joshua Smith (Daniela), Bethany Hall (Brian), Emily Smith (Dean), Justus Smith (Ashley), Ranger Smith, Vita Smith, Malkin Smith, and Declan Smith, and two great-grandchildren: Ezra and Norah Hall.
He is also survived by a sister, Lydia Williams and her husband, Thomas, of Jenison, Michigan, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Rusty was a good man.
Friends may visit Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Dawson Funeral Home. Rusty’s three sons will conduct a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Grace City Church, 225 West 5th Street, East Liverpool. Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery.
Immediately following the service, family and friends will gather at Grace City Church Café for fellowship and remembrance.
Memorial contributions may be made to the House of Grace Resource Center, 225 West 5th Street, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920.