Ryan Marshal Smith, 30, a Whitefish resident, passed away at his home Feb. 9, 2006, after a long fight with sarcoma cancer.

Ryan was born Jan. 31, 1976, in Houston, the son of Charles W. Smith and Helen Faye Ward. Ryan was raised and attended schools in the Houston area. He graduated from high school in 1994, and then attended Sam Houston University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in business.

Ryan belonged to the Flathead County Search and Rescue.

He enjoyed playing guitar, hiking and the outdoors, fishing and hunting. He enjoyed soccer and his faithful dog, Jed.

Ryan will be remembered as a man of God and full of faith and a believer in the Lord, Jesus Christ. He will be remembered as a loving son, brother, husband and friend.

Survivors include his wife, Melissa, at the family home in Whitefish; parents, Helen Smith in Whitefish, and father, Wayne Smith, in Temple, Texas; a brother, Jason, and wife, Stacey Smith, in Whitefish; and three nieces and nephews Kyley, Greg and Michael Ryan.

A memorial service will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Whitefish Assembly of God, with the Rev. Curtis McDuffee officiating. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Glacier Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Kalispell.