Remembering Ronald Wayne, my eldest and most dear brother. There were six years and two other brothers between us. Being Mom's little helper, Ronnie acted as a guardian angel always looking out after all four of his siblings. Sensitive and introverted, an artist and musician (singer/songwriter and guitarist). A sweet, kind, and most caring soul. Born in Rifle, Colorado, June 2, 1948, Ronnie passed away at the age of 41 from a head injury, "blunt force trauma", the Coroner ruled as a "probable fall" and "street accident", which happen on the evening of the 4th of July, 1989. Ronnie died the following day (7/5/89) in the ER at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Ronnie Wayne was the first-born of five children born to Jack Daniel and Betty Jean (Yoder Barber) Smith. After graduating from high school Ronnie inlisted in the US Army and served in Korea. After his medical discharge from the Army, Ronnie moved back to California and lived in Los Angeles until his passing.
Ronnie had four siblings, two brothers, Joey Daniel Smith and Stephen Robert Smith Barber, and two sisters, Kimberly Sue Smith Semler White, and Pixie Lea Smith Wood Beaver. His Paternal Grandparents were, Reverend Alex William Smith and Florence Gertrude Flenniken Smith, and Maternal Grandparents were Leo Barber and Elma Elberta Yoder Barber Cozby.