John Robert Smedly

John Robert Smedly, Sr. went to be with the Lord on March 10, 2024, passing peacefully in his sleep after one week of care in Hospice.

John had a tremendous life.  He was born in 1930 in Raton, New Mexico.  John spent much of his childhood managing life after a broken arm at age 7.  That injury resulted in John traveling on the Santa Fe Railroad by himself, to seek medical attention with his great aunt in San Francisco, California.  He made numerous trips by himself, between California and New Mexico for the next 7 years, so that he might regain some use of his right arm and hand.  And, that he did.  He returned to Raton to be a callboy for the railroad, married Margaret Lou Littrell March 29, 1952, had two children, worked for the BIA for a short while in Gallup, and then moved to Taos in 1959 to work for the US Forest Service in Taos.

He worked for several years as a surveyor for the US Forest Service, working on the Carson National Forest, building fences and trails that still exist today.  John was a golfer, an avid horseman and cattleman, a shop keeper, a Realtor/Broker and a friend to all.  He enjoyed telling stories of his life, especially those that involved trusted horses, Pueblo friends, and Hollywood movie stars, who would frequent the Carson House Shop on Kit Carson Road.   Most of all, he would like to be remembered as a committed husband to wife Margie for 63 years and as a trusted servant of God, serving as an active member and as a deacon for 57 years at Taos First Baptist Church.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Charlene Smedly, wife Margaret Lou Littrell Smedly, brother Charles Smedly, and grandson, Brent Robert Floyd.

John is survived by his daughter Dixie Floyd and husband Otis, son John Jr. and wife Ursula; grandchildren Brandon Floyd and wife Alexis, Brian Floyd and wife Erin, Brittany Adkins and husband Tracy.  John has 7 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. 

John’s family wishes to thank Pastor Dr. Randy White and wife Shelley of Taos First Baptist Church; the nurses and aids with the Red Willow Hospice;  Dr. Ellen Warren, M.D.; His Church Family at First Baptist Church of Taos and the Church Family of Dixie and Otis Floyd at Calvary Baptist Church of Raton.

Services will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 11 AM at the Taos First Baptist Church.  Interment will be held at the Fairmont Cemetery in Raton.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 629, Portales, NM  88130.

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our