Retired Col. Jerry D. Smith Sr.

Funeral services for Jerry Dossey Smith Sr. will be held Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the Parks Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Okemah. Interment will follow at the Highland Cemetery. Jerry Dossey Smith Sr. was born August 23, 1931 in Okemah, Oklahoma to J.O. Cotton Smith and Natalie (Dossey) Smith. He passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2017 in Owasso, Oklahoma at the age of 86. Mr. Smith was a longtime resident of Okemah and current resident of Owasso, Oklahoma. He was a 1949 graduate of Okemah High School and later received a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. On February 27, 1952 he and Ellen Louise “Tiny” Shipman were married in Okemah. Mr. Smith served for thirty two years with the Oklahoma National Guard and retired with the rank of Colonel. He received a Purple Heart on December 7, 1951 in Korea and was in the Hot Brigade during the Vietnam War period. He served 65 years in the American Legion, having been post commander. He was a member of the Order of the Purple Heart, VFW and the 45th infantry division association. Mr. Smith was a lay minister for many years and active member and treasurer of the Okemah Alumni Association. He was a partner with his father in the S & S Hardware Store in Okemah for many years. He attended the First United Methodist Church in Owasso. He retired in 1993 as a rural mail carrier after 31 years of employment. Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, Larry and Mac Smith. Survivors include his wife, Ellen “Tiny” of the home in Owasso; his son, Jerry D. Smith Jr. of The Woodlands, Texas; three daughters, Jan Duke and husband Nubbin of Yukon, Oklahoma, Dana Coplin of Owasso, Oklahoma and Patti Roberts and husband Dale of Weleetka, Oklahoma; one sister, Cheryl Ruth Foster and husband Richard of Johnston, Colorado; 7 grandchildren, Krista Bishop, Jamie Schultheis, Brad Roberts, Holie Stanton, Patrick Smith, Cassie Coplin and Kim Roberts, and 8 great-grandchildren, Seth, Libbie, Charlie, Sawyer, Landon, Brenleigh, Katie and Brecken. Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Okemah and officiated by Dr. Adrian Cole and assisted by Richard Foster. U.S. Army Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers. Honorary bearers include grandchildren and Craig and Randy Smith.

Retired Col. Jerry D. Smith Sr.

August 23, 1931 - October 17, 2017