Ross Earl Smades

Ross Earl Smades, age 78, passed away on Friday, January 31, 2025, in the comfort of his home in Leoti, Kansas. He was born on June 7, 1946, in Garden City, Kansas to H. C. and Beulah Lucille Woods Smades. Ross began his service in the US Army in 1967 and was stationed in Babenhesn, Germany. On March 8, 1968, Ross married the love of his life, Linda Kay Peterson of Tribune, Kansas at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Ross was a founding member of the Wichita County Amusement Association and was actively involved for many years. Ross was also one of the founding members of the Assembly of God Church, currently known as the Abundant Life Church. He was a proud and faithful member of the church until it closed in December 2024. Ross was actively involved in many events throughout Wichita County and he did not know a stranger. He would give the shirt off his back to help someone. Ross enjoyed endless hours of playing cards, dominos, and any games that the rules could easily be changed to "Ross' Rules". He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and was so proud of their accomplishments. He led a faith-filled life and his love for Jesus was shown through his everyday endeavors. Ross was always cheerful, loved to whistle, and lived life in stride. We will leave you with one of his favorite sayings from his favorite movie, "Cars"; “There is no need to know where you are going if you know where you have already been.” 

Ross was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Keith Smades and Mark Smades. He is survived by his wife Linda Smades; Children: Chad Smades of Leoti, Kansas, Jodie & Troy Ostmeyer of Plainville, Kansas, and Jarod & Kim Smades of Goodland, Kansas; Grandchildren: Preston Ostmeyer, Jaron Smades, Chadryn Smades, Autumn Pakkebier, Summer Santillana, Peyton Hansen, Paxton Ostmeyer, and Kollins Smades; Great-Grandchildren: Emery Pakkebier, Drew Pakkebier and baby Hansen.

Memorials may be made to the “Ross Smades Memorial” in Care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 161, Leoti, Kansas 67861.

The funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Leoti, Kansas, on February 5, 2025, at 10:30 am, with pastor Dan Wakefield presiding. Interment will follow at the Beulah Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas. Services will also be live-streamed at https://evt.live/rsmadesservice. 

Public visitation will be at the Price and Sons Funeral Home, 202 N. 4th St. Leoti, Kansas 67861, on Monday, February 3, from 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm and on Tuesday, February 4, from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm. The family will be present at the visitation on Tuesday, February 4th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.