Rogers Co. Obit for: Hugh Leroy Smith ************************************************************************ http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/rogers/rogers.htm Rogers County Archivist: Bill Cook, wcook14024@aol.com Submitted to the Rogers County Oklahoma Archives Date: 7/01/2002 by: Bill Cook, wcook14024@aol.com ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ 7/02/2002 Editon of the Ponca City News http://www.poncacitynews.com/ Hugh Leroy Smith Hugh Leroy Smith, longtime resident of the Ponca City area, died Sunday morning, June 30, 2002 at the Kansas State Veteran's Home in Winfield, Kan., after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was 80. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, at the Longwood Cemetery with Rev. Joe Black of the Crestview Baptist Church presiding. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. A memorial service will be held at the Crestview Baptist Church on U.S. 60 east of Ponca City at 11 a.m. following the graveside service. Hugh Leroy Smith was born Oct. 31, 1921, in rural Ralston, the oldest child born to Jefferson Smith and Daisy Bell Ulrich Smith. His early education was received in various Ralston area schools. He entered the United States Army on Aug. 27, 1942, serving in the 59th Quartermaster Sales Company with assignments to Scotland, England, France and in Luxemburg, Germany. He was honorably discharged from the Army on Nov. 15, 1945. He was united in marriage to Della Mae Hamilton on March 27, 1948, in Claremore, where the couple made their first home. The couple moved to the Bressie community in 1950 and, in 1961, moved to their present home in the Osage, located east of Ponca City. In 1961, Mr. Smith went to work for the city of Ponca City, retiring in 1983 after 22 years of service. He then started his truck garden on his acreage in the Osage County, as he will be remembered by all who knew him for his vegetables. He was an avid gardener and he loved to fish and hunt. He had a wonderful life and always had a kind word to say about everyone with whom he came in contact. Nothing gave him more pleasure than doing things with his grandchildren, especially his two oldest ones that grew up close to him. He is survived by his wife, Della Mae, of the home; a son, Martin Lee Smith and wife Sylvia of Ponca City, two granddaughters, Kenya LeAnn Smith of Neenah, Wis., and Amanda Danielle Smith of Bedford, Texas; two grandsons, James Leroy "Jimmy" Smith of Ponca City and Jeffrey Michael Smith of Bedford, Texas; two great-granddaughters, Rachael Ann and Madison Leann Smith of Ponca City. He is also survived by three sisters, Lorene Skaggs of Ponca City, Emmerine Smith of Benton, Ark., and Mildred Shirley of Roland, Ark.; two brothers, Raymond Smith and Jeff Smith, both of Ponca City; and one aunt, Mrs. Irma Ulrich of Ponca City. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael Eugene Smith on May 6, 1999; one brother, Billy George Smith; and a baby sister, Joan. Casket bearers will be Jimmy Smith, Kenneth Wilson, Farrell Eaton, Roger Hudgens, Doug Smith and Dean Stolhand. Honorary casket bearers will be Whitey Bristow and Dale McVay. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion, 407 West South Avenue, Ponca City, Okla. 74601. The casket will be closed at the service but family and friends may call at the funeral home until 9 a.m. Wednesday. Transcribed from the Ponca City News by Bill Cook, billcook44@aol.com 7/04/2002 *************************************************************************