Vernon Smith

Vernon D. Smith, age 85, of Monkey Island, OK went to be with his Savior on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, after a short illness. Vern was born on February 2, 1937, to Vernie and Ethel (Risner) Smith in Depew, OK. He graduated from Davenport, OK High School in 1954 and in 1955 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly served in Strategic Air Command. After his military service, Vern went to work in the oil industry and later became a Master Mechanic for large industrial machinery. He traveled extensively with his work, eventually retiring from Watkins Sand Company in Bixby, OK. Vern was a wonderful and devoted father. When his children were young, he took them on lake trips, river floats and fishing and loved reading them bedtime stories. Vern was a boy scout parent, accompanying his son’s troop of 20 to Yellowstone and on the memorable 50-mile hike in freezing weather. He was a good big brother to little sister Jeane, but as adults they competed fiercely in golf. He enjoyed practical jokes on his sisters. Vern was later reunited with his childhood friend who had also been widowed, Patsy Baldridge, at a class reunion and the couple knew very quickly that God intended for them to be together. They were married on January 1, 2011, in Miami, OK and made their home in Nowata, OK. In 2016, the couple moved to Monkey Island, where Vern enjoyed playing golf. The couple enjoyed traveling in their RV around the states. He was a member of Lake Center Baptist Church and had served as the Secretary of the Northeastern Kansas Sr. Men’s Golf Association. His toy poodle, Jolly, went everywhere with him. Jolly sadly passed away just last month. Vern was quick witted and funny and never missed out on a chance to give someone a hard time. When dining out, Vern would always order “the truckdriver’s special” for his petite wife, and she would just smile and let him have his fun. Vern loved to socialize and plan fun events for his friends and family. He will be so dearly missed. Vern was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Dorothea, Juanita and Jeane, infant brother Charlie, wife, Linda Smith (mother of Mary Jo) and his son, Alan Smith. Left to cherish his memory, his wife Patsy, children Cathie Andersen of Tulsa OK, Melody (Kevin) Cook of Missouri City, Texas, stepchildren Mary Jo (John) Rogers of Nowata, OK, Dana (Jay)Thompson of Loveland, CO, Renee (Bruce) Graner of Buena Vista, CO, and Steven Baldridge of Santa Clara, California; Vern’s first wife (mother of Melody, Cathie and Alan), Donna Dickson, 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, as well as a host of extended family and friends. A visitation for Vern will be held from 4-6pm on Friday November 18, 2022, at Nichols-Stephens Funeral and Cremation Service. Funeral Services will be held at 11am on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Lake Center Baptist Church on Monkey Island. The family suggests that donations in Vern’s memory may be made to Lake Center Baptist Church, 29020 S. Hwy 125, Afton, OK 74331. The service will be live streamed at https://m.facebook.com/100064770934216/. Lake Center’s Facebook page.

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Vernon Smith

February 2, 1937 - November 15, 2022