Ray Leonard Smelich, Age 77, of Butte

It was a beautiful, sunshiny day in Butte, Montana, when Raymond “Ray” Leonard Smelich left this earth on the afternoon of March 16^th, 2024, at approximately 4:11 pm surrounded by family after a 5 ½ year battle with prostate cancer.  Ray was 77 years young. He was the first born (and only boy) born to Leona “Lennie” Elizabeth and Raymond “Ray” Corwin Smelich on September 28, 1946 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Albuquerque, NM.

He attended elementary at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Albuquerque, NM and then attended high school at St. Joseph’s Military Academy in Hays, Kansas, graduating in 1965.  He spent a short time at New Mexico State in Las Cruces, NM before going to Alaska to work on the DEW line.  While in Alaska he attended the University of Alaska in Fairbanks and earned his associate degree in Electronics, which gave him the ability and knowledge to tinker with and repair anything. He also picked up a job as a charter bus driver and tour guide.  This would be the beginning of his new career in the transportation industry.

Ray moved back to Albuquerque and began his trucking career which would take him all over the country. He accumulated over 3 million miles; a feat he was very proud to share with anyone.  He met Phyl Loyd in May of 1974, and they married in July of 1975. Together they drove trucks cross country beginning in July of 1976 until May of 1978 when Phyl got off the road and started working at the Forest Service.  They built a home together and welcomed their first baby girl, Valerie Ann Smelich, on February 6, 1981. Two years later, Stefanie “Stef” Jean Smelich was born on April 7, 1983.  They welcomed their last child, a boy, Gregory “Greg” Ray Smelich, on February 8, 1985. Their family was finally complete, but the marriage would not last, and their divorce was final in January of 1989.  Ray searched for work in Albuquerque but was unable to find a job. He eventually took an opportunity in Crete, Nebraska as a truck driver with Teut Inc., where he worked until his retirement in 2006. Ray met his second wife, Georgette Kubes, and they were married on September 6, 1997.  Unfortunately, their marriage would only last a couple years but they remained friends after the divorce and periodically kept in contact.

He lived in Crete until October of 2019, when he decided it was time to sell his home and move to a retirement community in Lincoln, NE. He enjoyed living in Savannah Pines and made many great friends while living there. Ray spent 34 years in Nebraska, driving truck, racing cars and making lifelong friendships.

In February of 2023, Ray decided to move to Montana to be closer to his children. His three kids and their significant others traveled to Lincoln, NE, packed him up, and moved him to an apartment in Butte.  He was so happy to be in Montana.  He was convinced that Butte was a “diamond in the rough” and that eventually people would see the beauty and potential that Butte had to offer.  He was thrilled that he got to be present when his youngest granddaughter, Alaina Rai, was born in April.  He also enjoyed fishing, going for burgers and milkshakes, taking drives, taking his truck through the car wash, going out shooting guns, attending family get-togethers, taking his motorized wheelchair to get the mail with his cat, Buddy, sitting on his lap, and just spending time with those that he loved.  Many great memories were made during the last year.  In December of 2023 he moved into an assisted living facility and was on hospice care for his final two months. He fought long and hard but eventually his body just gave up.

Ray always enjoyed being involved in the community.  He was integral in establishing a Neighborhood Watch Albuquerque and in Crete. He also started the Drug Task Force in Crete, helped host swim parties at the local pool, and got involved however he could. During his time in Crete, Ray got into racing and showing Nissan Z cars. He acquired three cars, each with a different purpose. His silver car was his show car, his blue car was his concourse car, and the white car was his quarter mile drag race and half mile shootout car, which he treasured the most.  He joined the Nebraska Z Club and made many close friends that would work on his vehicles with him.  He shared his love of racing with his kids and invited them to join him for several events, including the Sandhills Open Road Challenge in Arnold, NE and the ZCon/ZFest in Branson, MO. Ray and his racing buddies would attend events all over the country.  He received many trophies and awards for all three of his cars and he continued to race until he moved to Montana.

He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond “Ray” Corwin Smelich, his mother, Leona “Lennie” Elizabeth Smelich.

Ray is survived by his three children: Valerie Nielson (Ryan) of Butte, Stef Smelich (Nick) of Missoula, Greg Smelich (Kali) of Butte; his grandchildren: Trinity Smelich (Lily) of Salt Lake City, Hailey Nielson of Butte and Alaina Smelich of Butte; Sisters: Marie Moore (Tom) of Lancaster, OH, Cathy Smelich of Pataskala, OH, Alice Heigel of Pickerington, OH, Sister by choice, Marlene Spangler of Pataskala, OH and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

THANK YOU to Al Kortmeyer and John Borchers for being the best friends to our dad.  He relied so heavily upon you both and you responded to the call every single time. A great big “THANK YOU” to Alisa Logar, FNP-C at Pintler Family Medicine for taking over care of our dad when he came to Montana.  He was so happy that you oversaw his primary care. A very big “THANK YOU” to the oncology team at St. James.  Dr. Massouh, Dr. Gilroy and Josette Ueland, NP, were all amazing in working with dad. He made the comment that he had the best team of doctors taking care of him. A HUGE “Thank you” to Big Sky Senior Living for taking over the care of our dad so we were able to spend the time we needed with him without worrying about him. A special “Thank You” to Honeybee Hospice and the wonderful people that became friends with him, especially Heather and Shanda. Thank you to Axelson Funeral Home for making his passing easier to cope with.

Ray didn’t want anyone to mourn his death and didn’t want a funeral, so a celebration of life will be scheduled for a future date. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation in his name to prostate cancer research at support.conquer.org or make a donation to his celebration of life to Greg Smelich through PayPal at GRSmelich@gmail.com.  Make sure you click the “friends and family” option.  You can also send checks to 1812 Wilson Ave., Butte, MT.  Thank you to everyone who loved our dad.  He will be greatly missed.

It’s not goodbye, just see you later.  Upward and Onward!

Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Ray.

Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Ray and his family.

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