Ronald Smola

Ronald Dean Smola, 73, died peacefully on Oct. 20, 2020, in Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Ron was born Dec. 12, 1946, in El Reno to Stanley and Neva Smola.

He graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy.

After graduating, Ron spent a short amount of time working for the Soil Conservation Service in Oklahoma before moving to Tampa, Fla.

Ron began his career in Florida with the Soil Conservation Service, eventually switching to Natural Resources Conservation Service as a liaison working with South Florida Water Management.

His greatest achievements are for his work on the preservation and restoration of the Florida Everglades and with the cleanup of Hurricane Andrew, a Category 5 hurricane that hit Homestead Fla., in 1992.

Ron was also a trustee for the South Florida Fair for 20-plus years in which he loved being a part of every year.

Ronald is survived by Eva M. Simmel, life partner, of Hobe Sound, Fla.; son Scott Smola of Lebanon, Tenn.; daughter-in-law Tammie Smola of Lebanon, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Brittni Kirk of Lubbock, Texas, Baije Smola of Abilene, Texas, Alana Smola of Gore Springs, Miss., Brett Smola Of Lebanon, Tenn.; and sister Joyce Brown of Kingfisher.

He was preceded in death by his son Brett Smola, parents Stanley Smola and Neva Smola; brothers Gary Smola and Steven Smola.

A celebration of life is scheduled for the near future at Palm Beach Memorial, with a reception to follow.

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ron’s life.

The family requests donations in lieu of flowers be made to Everglades Foundation (https://www.evergladesfoundation.org/) and St. Jude Children’s Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/).