Help us reach our goal for funeral expenses

Fredrick James Smith aka "Ricky" was tragically taken from us on Sunday, November 7, 2021. He died from internal injuries to his organs that went undetected. Ricky called Vivian, who had just went to LA the night before, at 6:30am complaining of severe stomach pain. She encouraged him to get dressed and called her mother to take him to the emergency room. His daughter also traveled to Los Angeles on Thursday night for the baby Gender Reveal of their middle son James (Tara). Ricky thought that he'd contracted food poisoning but x-rays and lab work revealed that he needed emergency surgery. While in surgery, the doctors were able to see the true source of all of his pain. His organs had sustained extensive and irreversible damage and they resolved that there was nothing medically that could be done for him. His doctor closed him up and sedated him heavily to make him comfortable until the rest of his family could get back to Houston. Their oldest son, Andre, Ricky's father, sister and mother-in-law was by his side when he died. Although Ricky was not awake, his surgeon placed her phone on speaker next to his ear and Vivian, Adriana and Roman was able to tearfully say good-bye to him before he took his last breath. He was a loving husband, father, brother, son and friend.

 

He was a funny and outspoken man with a larger than life personality. Anyone who has ever spent at least 5 minutes with him had a story. He had a charisma that drew you in and he could strike up a conversation with anyone. Fredrick was a great businessman and a friend to everyone he met. He loved his family and he doted over his 4 month-old granddaughter Nyla who brought him unmeasurable joy. He anticipated the birth of his grandson in March 2022 and was looking forward to traveling to LA for the Baby Shower in January.

 

Many people have expressed their deepest condolences and have asked to donate/ contribute in some way towards the funeral costs to help the family at this very difficult and emotional time. So it is with extreme heartache that I write this to give those wishing to donate, a place to do so.

 

Fredrick "Ricky" was a loving, caring and passionate man who will be greatly missed, never forgotten, and always in our hearts.

 

Vivian Smith