d. Jan. 2, 2026
Ramblin’ Roy Smith, born Roy Lee Smith on Sept. 24, 1946, in Gunnison, Mississippi, passed away on Jan. 2, 2026, at his home in Saguache.
Roy was an artist, musician, hobo, cowboy, gold prospector, antiques dealer and handyman. Roy’s local and global celebrity was nurtured through his creative spirit, enthusiasm for making friends and his fight for justice.
Roy built a series of art environments throughout his years in Saguache, the KV Estates, Questa, New Mexico, Salida and Central City. His art was exhibited in Saguache at The Range and in Denver and documented through his monograph “Last Train for Freedom Leavin’ Town” (2018, What Nothing Press). Part of his story was featured on television in 1998 on Connie Chung’s “20/20,” and in a documentary feature film on his civil rights legal case in Gilpin County.
Roy’s love for Jesus was deep and grounded him in his pursuit of peace with the hardships he faced. He was a friend to all dolls and horses and a lover of all things shiny. He self-distributed his music and performed live extensively. A road in Central City is named for him. Roy’s story and art touched innumerable hearts, teaching love, forgiveness and the power of creation in healing.
Roy is survived by his sisters Cora Horn of Merrigold, Mississippi, and Bertha Adams of Beulah, Mississippi; stepbrothers, Bobby Hunter and Tommy Hunter of Cleveland, Mississippi; 23 nieces and nephews and a host of cousins; his chosen brothers and sisters, Jim Wayner of Greenville, Michigan, First Sgt. Anderson Love Jr. of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Wendy Chanden of Crestone and Adrienne Garbini and Alex DeCarli of Saguache.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Lela Smith; and siblings Lucille Adams and Elbert Smith. He is mourned by a community of friends and fans worldwide.
Roy had tremendous love and gratitude for his congregation at Villa Grove Fellowship; his attorney John Holland; his guardian, Natalie DeVille of Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains; his home health aides, Michell Gallegos, Leslie Rousseau and Brenda Long; his medical providers at Heart of the Rockies, the Saguache Clinic and the Northern Saguache County Ambulance District; and the employees at Saguache County and at Saguache and Salida businesses. His artwork was intensively documented by the photographer Fred Scruton, whose visits with his wife, Cheryl, gave Roy tremendous joy.
Roy was deeply appreciative of the efforts of Sue Fox, Tony Jennings, Lyn Miles, Darryl Reinsel, Trisha Atkins, Gaby Wolodarski, Life Stebbins, Michael Briley, Sheri and Vince Fuca, Lori Coe, Tammy Gruebbel, Loren and Janice Aldrich, Greg Harvester, Eleanor Dewey, Sarah Stoit, the Crestone End of Life Project, Hospice de Valle and Saguache Works in supporting his desire to live a full and independent life in his home through his last days.
“He makes all things beautiful in his time” – Ecclesiastes 3:11.
