Earl Ray Smothers, Jr.

Earl Ray Smothers, Jr., 71, of Goshen died Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at his home.

He was born February 19, 1950 in Louisville, Kentucky.

On February 11, 1973 he married Kathy Carter.

She survives along with a daughter, Gidget (Robert) Dailey of Goshen; a son, Justin (Candice Swan) Smothers of Elkhart; four grandchildren with one on the way; and eight great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are two sisters, Marilyn (David) Martin of Middlebury and Vicky (Mike) Laws of Goshen; and three brothers, James D. (Sandy) Smothers of Tennessee, Walter S. Smothers and Tony Smothers, both of Goshen.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Ray Smothers, Sr.; his mother, Alpha Marie (Meredith) Greider; a daughter, Christie Kay Love Smothers; and a sister, Peggy Jean Smothers.

Earl was a U.S. Army veteran, who served in Vietnam. He worked locally for Commodore Homes. He was a collector of Scooby Doo and Star Trek memorabilia; and a fan of John Wayne and Elvis.

Earl liked to work with his hands, tinkering in the garage or working on the house.

Visitation will be Monday, January 10, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, where a Tuesday funeral will be conducted at 11:30 a.m.

Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery, Goshen.