Richard Dean Smyrl, age 69, of Canyon/Amarillo Texas, passed away peacefully on August 8th, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

Born on January 13th, 1956, to parents Charles and Mollie Smyrl, in Canyon, Texas. Richard was a devoted husband, a loving father, a caring son, a giving uncle, a little brother, a grandfather, a great friend, but most of all, a man of God. He loved his Lord and Savior more than anything.

Richard was known for his humor, his charm, his friendliness, and willingness to help anyone who needed it without question. He spent his life helping people, whether it be through volunteering with Amarillo Emergency Services, volunteering as security at Bethesda, volunteering coordinating traffic at his church or for AES, or volunteering as a sentinel at his church, where he referred to himself as “The Eye in the Sky.” He had a deep passion for fishing and camping, cherishing the trips he’d take with his family to places like San Isabel National Forest. He loved to sing and was passionate about musical theater, performing with the Amarillo Little Theater when he was younger. He also loved baseball, specifically the Texas Rangers, who he was elated to watch win the World Series in 2023, and was a football fan as well, loving the Dallas Cowboys. Richard was also passionate about the love of his life, Sherrie, whom he met on August 19th, 1994, and then married 1 year later on August 19th, 1995. They shared 30 beautiful years together and were by each other’s side until the very end.

Richard worked for Western Bowl as a mechanic for 42 years and loved his job. Bowling was another thing he loved, and he loved the friends and the familiar faces that frequented Western Bowl. He was Mr. Fix It at the bowling alley where he was not only responsible for keeping the lanes operating smoothly but also helped put together the arcade and laser tag attractions and helped to maintain them. He was also Mr. Fix It at home, and whenever he saw an issue, whether it was a pinsetter issue at the bowling alley or faulty light switch at home, he made it his mission to fix the problem.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Mollie Lucille Smyrl, son Justin Maynard, granddaughter Kathleen Maynard, brothers Jerry Smyrl and Charles Smyrl, brother-in-law Glenn Miller, and sister-in-law Sherry Smyrl. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Sherrie Smyrl, daughters Stephanie Smyrl & husband Russell Sanderson, Christie Miller, and April Maynard, son Chris Maynard & wife Stephanie Maynard, brother Norman Smyrl, and brother-in-law Henry Miller. He is also survived by his grandchildren (Riely, Kaytlin, Payge, Landon, Alex, Izzy, and Scarlett) and nieces and nephews (Annie, William, Jaxon, Mark, Tracy, Tim, and Jennifer).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Forest Foundation and/or Habitat for Humanity in honor of Richard’s legacy.

His impact on everyone who knew him will last with them forever. He will forever be loved and will forever be missed.