SMITH KENNETH RAY, was born September 13th, 1930 in Olney, Texas. Raised in Ft. Worth Ken resided in Dallas most of his life. Ken briefly attended SMU as quarterback, due to injury he took up the game of chess. His hobby soon became his profession and he founded Chess Digest, the world's largest chess book publisher and retailer. He went on to become an International Chess Master and won numerous domestic and international championships, including the U.S., British, and Mexico Opens. In 1972 he prepared Bobby Fischer for the World championship with IGM Spassky. He utilized his prodigious memory to play more than 25 simultaneous games while blindfolded, and to become theFrom Dallas Morning News obits, http://classifieds.dallasnews.com/6_f...
SMITH KENNETH RAY, was born September 13th, 1930 in Olney, Texas. Raised in Ft. Worth Ken resided in Dallas most of his life. Ken briefly attended SMU as quarterback, due to injury he took up the game of chess. His hobby soon became his profession and he founded Chess Digest, the world's largest chess book publisher and retailer. He went on to become an International Chess Master and won numerous domestic and international championships, including the U.S., British, and Mexico Opens. In 1972 he prepared Bobby Fischer for the World championship with IGM Spassky. He utilized his prodigious memory to play more than 25 simultaneous games while blindfolded, and to become the winner of multiple poker championships. In the early 80's he was ranked by Newsweek magazine as the World's 4th Best Amateur Poker Player. Ken will always be loved and survived by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Ray F. Smith, brother Jerry Smith, his loving wife, Elaine, his previous wife Linda Griffin and their four children, Dr. Jane Witten, Robert Ray Smith, Lori Kay Weldon, Kenneth Bradley Smith, his three grandchildren, Will, Neal, and Amanda, furthermore, by his Stepchildren, Steve Salsbury, Theresa Walker, Lisa Foss, Melissa Marshall and their nine children. In life Ken was always a winner, famous for donning his top hat and tuxedo. Now is the time for us to tip our hats and say, 'What a Player' Visitation will take place at Sparkman/Hillcrest, Friday the 5th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial services will be held Saturday 12:00 Noon at Sparkman /Hillcrest, Northwest Hwy Chapel, Interment, Hillcrest Memorial Park. Rev. John Delgado, Officiating, Pallbearers, Will Witten, Jim Griffin, Gary Walker, Edward Escobedo, Steve Foss. Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, Cemetery Mausoleum, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas 214-363-5401. ...more
Sign in with Facebook
