Odie Franklin Smith

Odie Franklin Smith was born September 1st 1926 to Oren Dube Smith and Lillian Pearl Samples Smith in his parents' home approximately 1 mile south of Okemah, Oklahoma. Mr. Smith passed away March 12 at the Veteran's Medical Center, Talihina, Oklahoma at the age of 88 years, 5 months, and 12 days. Odie's mother died when he was 2 years old. His sister Helen Myers was like a mother to him and his brother Kenneth and they were very close until her death. Odie's dad Oren was a farmer and raised pigs and cattle. Odie only went to school until the ninth grade at Boynton High School, Boynton, Oklahoma, because he, like many others, had to stay home to help his family. Which did not hinder him much as he later became the first Chief Engineer of the Okmulgee Memorial Hospital in the mid 60's. And before that was Assistant Engineer of the Muskogee General Hospital in the early 60's. Mr. Smith entered the service the 17th of January 1945 and was discharged July 14, 1947 as a Corporal. During his service he served as a Military Policeman among other duties. Odie Smith wed Delores June Allred of Boynton, Oklahoma on September 14, 1950. To this union was born three children: Ardith Gayle, Vanessa Sue, and Randy Jarrard. Odie worked in the oil fields and later ran a Texaco Service in Boynton. Mr. Smith at one time served on the town council of Boynton and was chosen as mayor at that time. He worked for the Muskogee County Fire Department. He also served on the Boynton Volunteer Fire Department until his retirement. He served as President of the Boynton Chamber of Commerce during the early 1980's. Odie also served as Secretary for the Oklahoma Hospital Engineers Association and was President elect at the time of his resignation from the Okmulgee Memorial Hospital. Mr. Smith went on to establish the Smith Dozer Service and did much work for several different oil companies digging slush pits, building roads, and pulling out their trucks when they got stuck. He also built many ponds, roads, and laid water lines for private residences and also hauled shell. Odie served as Ambassador and member of the Boynton, Oklahoma Historical Society. Mr. Smith was a man who gave generously and helped many. In 1984 when a huge tornado struck the town of Morris, Oklahoma he donated his time and equipment to clear debris. He worked many days at his own expense. In the early 1960's Odie sent off for a course to teach him to repair televisions and radios and did this for many years all around Boynton, Haskell, and Checotah areas. He and June always had a garden and he had one until 2013. Odie had a ranch northwest of Boynton for over 30 years and ran cattle and raised pigs and chickens. He and June loved the farm and so did all their family who spent a lot of time out there swimming, hunting, fishing, camping, and eating. Odie and June loved to entertain and on many occasions had a large crowd out for the Fourth of July, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. Everyone was welcome. Odie loved the Lord. He spent many hours reading and studying the Bible. Just recently he told his daughter Ardith that he was on his 18th reading of the whole Bible. Many people who couldn't find a certain scripture were quick to call him and ask where it was. He taught Sunday School for years. He and June were faithful to church. They loved inviting people to the house of God and until he was unable they brought people to church with them. He even bought a 15 passenger van so that they could haul everyone. When the Smiths weren't in church people were checking on them. Odie never met a stranger and loved to talk about his time in the military. Odie could play several instruments: lead guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and harmonica. He and June performed live on KOKL radio and with other country gospel groups at different occasions. Ardith remembers when Mr. Smith ran the Texaco Service Station in Boynton. They lived in the Texaco building across the street from the station. They lived on the second floor of the building and downstairs there was a huge room and on Saturday nights the place was filled with people "making music" as it was called back then. There would be as many as ten musicians. this was a family event and there were many wives and children and always something to eat. It would be impossible to do justice for someone who has accomplished so much, given so liberally, and made such a difference in people's lives. Odie is survived by his wife Delores June Smith, of Okmulgee, OK and Ardith Gayle McKeaigg and her husband John of Boynton, OK, six grandchildren: Jennie Delores Triggs of Tulsa, Clinton James Collins and wife Megan of Sand Springs, Dr. Odie Jarrard McKeaigg and wife Tembra of Tulsa, Latasha Ann Veneigh and husband Aaron of Portland, Oregon, Amber Dawn McKeaigg of Boynton, and Corey Jay Collins and his wife Samantha of Henryetta, Oklahoma. Mr. Smith is also survived by sixteen great-grandchildren: Serenna Moyai Hiseley, Cyndi Janai Triggs, Donald Earl Triggs, Jr., Cydney Jaymes Collins, Nicole Brianna Taylor, Chantz Jaymen Collins, Aubrey Diane Taylor, Ryker Lane Frost Collins, Cashlynn Vanessa Ruth Collins, Skylar Collins, Kinley Ryan McKeaigg, Alex Dre Carr, Zoie Leona Kay Carr, Keano Lee Carr, Lilly Lynn Cummings, Krissy Jo Cummings, and Jalena Jada Cummings, as well as four great-great-grandchildren: Rashay Seline Syas, Kace Deshane Graham, Jaydon Raysean Freeman, Rahniya Rae Freeman Carr, Odie's sister, Flora Ann Kelley of Boynton and James Arnold Smith of Oktaha, Oklahoma, and Cathy Martineau and Kenny Smith, children of Kenneth Smith, who thought of their Uncle Odie as their second dad and loved him very much and who were so special to him and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his son, Randy Jarrard Smith and his daughter, Vanessa Sue Collins, and one great-grandson, Logan Vince Cummings, his sister Helen Myers, and brother Kenneth Smith. Mr. Smith will be laid to rest in the Boynton Cemetery, Boynton, Oklahoma with his daughter Vanessa and son Randy.

Odie Franklin Smith

September 1, 1926 - March 12, 2015