PINE BLUFF — Randall “Randy” Smith,
71, of Pine Bluff, Ark., passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones on January 5, 2022. He was born on September 23, 1950, in Pine Bluff, to Nellie and Henry Smith Jr. Randy graduated from Pine Bluff High School and attended college at Arkansas A & M in Monticello.
Before he completed his degree, the draft for Vietnam began, so he enlisted in the Navy. During his time in the Navy, Randy worked in Navy intelligence, decoding submarine communications around the world. While he was stationed in Fort Meade, he met and later married Janie Kusic and together they had two children.
After his time in the military, Randy returned to Arkansas and finished his accounting degree at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. Randy became a CPA and eventually senior partner at BKD.
During his final years at BKD, Randy was introduced to Deirdre “Dede” Wacasay by a mutual friend and the two fell in love. He retired from BKD in 2010 and married Dede in 2011. The two shared a happy home in Pine Bluff with their dachshund, Buddy.
An accountant by trade, an outdoorsman at heart, Randy loved to spend time outside, either playing golf at the Pine Bluff Country Club or gardening with his wife. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends on Big Island, and could always been found with smile on his face and a Bud Light in his hand.
Randy was kind, generous, hilarious, and loved to cook. He was full of wisdom and wisecracks, and his straight-forward delivery and dedication to always do the right thing made him the man you went to when you wanted advice.
His honest and upfront nature made his words at the end all the more impactful. Before he passed, Randy made it clear that he had lived a good, full life with no regrets, and was ready to go fishing with Garland and Dean. We should all be at peace knowing he’s there now.
Randy is survived by his children, Justin (Jen) Smith of Little Rock, and Lindsey (Kenneth) Phillips of White Hall; wife, Dede Wacasy Smith; her children, Coy (Brittany) Stephenson of Siloam Springs, and Meagan (Jay Burling) Stephenson of Conway; seven grandchildren, Hamilton and Houston Phillips, Jasper, Murray, Cooper, and Tressie Stephenson, Kai Burling; and his sister Polly (Laudis) Brantley of England, Ark.
A celebration of life will be held at 3-3 p.m., Sunday, January 9, 2022, at Pine Bluff Country Club, 1100 W 46th Ave, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pine Bluff Country Club Men’s Golf Association, 1100 W 46th Ave, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603; or Arkansas State Golf Association Garland Tynes Scholarship Fund, PO Box 30250, Little Rock, Ark. 72260. Arrangements are by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors (online register: www.RalphRobinsonandSon.com).