Ryan Duane Smith, 42, of Burnet died Aug. 10, 2016

Ryan Duane Smith, 42, died unexpectedly Aug. 10, 2016, at St David’s Hospital in Austin due to complications from a recent surgery.

Ryan was born July 10, 1974, in Abilene, Texas. He was the son of Mickey Kay Smith of Burnet and Dwayne C. Smith of Leander. He is survived by his grandmother Katherine Jones of Burnet and his grandparents Johnny Bob and Voleta Smith of Winters. He is also survived by aunts, uncles and cousins and has a legacy of many wonderful friends. And let’s not forget his very loved pet, Red Dog, of Burnet!

At the time of his passing, Ryan was surrounded with love by about 25 of his close friends. To each of us, he was a precious son, a loved grandson, a dear friend and a wonderful kind, intelligent, nice, sweet man.

Ryan knew how to be a friend, love, work and play hard. He was wise beyond his years, so intelligent and could not have been a better person. He was always willing to lend a helping hand if someone was in need.

Ryan loved “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” “Doctor Who” and most all science fiction. He was the guru of technology! When not working for his business, he spent a lot of time on his boat with friends on Lake Travis and enjoyed going to the gun range and target practice.

Ryan loved children and knew just how to make them feel special. He was the type man who said what he was going to do and followed through with what he said.

Ryan moved to Burnet in 2015, when he built a new home to be near his mother, Mickey, and the business for which they worked. Ryan had been an assistant branch manager since 2003 for Southwest Funding LP in Dallas, a mortgage lender. He touched many lives in positive ways. Anyone who met Ryan through business would say he was always professional, always polite, always smart and always had a smile.

We are honoring his wishes to be cremated. A celebration of Ryan’s life is 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at 200 S. West St. in Burnet. Anyone who would like to come and remember wonderful moments of the life of Ryan Duane Smith is welcome.   

Ryan’s last words were words of love and caring. He told his Mom: “I want you to keep it together, and I love you.” Each of us who knew Ryan will still cry and miss him even though we will celebrate his loving ways and have him in our hearts forever.

Ryan, Mom is so proud of the man you were and loves you. I will see you in the white light when my time comes and will need a big hug.