Stephen Ronald Smith, born in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Lauretta Cremer Smith and Donald Eugene Smith on September 14, 1940, passed away peacefully in Ottumwa, Iowa on July, 5, 2025, with his significant other, Sherry Smith, at his side.
Stephen had a long career as an attorney and raised his kids in California. He was the first of four generations to play Little League Baseball, a long-time Los Angeles Dodgers fan, a boxer in his youth, a lover of cats, practiced law for over five decades in California and Iowa, and was the co-founder, along with his brother, of the Smith Brothers Winery in Ottumwa, Iowa. Stephen leaves behind his brother, Donald Craig Smith, of San Bernardino, CA; son, Prapanna Randall Smith, of Susanville, CA; daughter, Lauriann Gillespie, of Redlands, CA; grandchildren, Matthew James Ryan Smith, Adhilakshmi Smith, Stephanie De La Ossa, and Rachel Garcia; and great grandson, Aidan Aarav Conner Smith. He also leaves behind his informally adopted son, Liasu Braimoh, of Las Vegas, NV.
A private family gathering to honor Stephen’s memory will be held in Redlands, CA on August 9, 2025.
