Raymond F. Smith

Raymond Franklin Smith was born November 3, 1931 in a dugout hut in Ellis County, Oklahoma just across the state line from Higgins, TX. He was the second son of Eldon Franklin Smith and Matie Edith (Bard) Smith. Raymond departed this life on February 23, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Leroy Eldon Smith of Amarillo, TX, his wife Nona Inell (Stockton) Smith, and his son, Terry Ray Smith of Guthrie, OK. Raymond was the father of four children. Two sons, Terry Ray Smith (Deceased) of Guthrie, OK and Michael Alan Smith of Noble, OK and two daughters, Sherry Lynn Ivey of Wildorado, TX and Jean Anne Hardeman of Panhandle, TX. Raymond has 6 grandchildren, Sidney, Robert, Annie, Clegg, Jessie, and Tyler. He has 14 great grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Raymond graduated high school in 1949 from Bishop High School in Ellis County, OK. He earned his B.S. degree from Northwestern OK State University in Alva and his M.S. degree from Oklahoma A&M University in Stillwater. He did post graduate work at Oklahoma University, The University of Tulsa, the University of Kansas, and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Raymond began teaching in 1954 in Nash, OK. In 1957 he moved to Tulsa and began teaching in the Tulsa Public Schools at Hamilton Junior High School. He continued his career by transferring to McClain Senior High School as Science Department Chairman and concluded his teaching career at Memorial Senior High School. He retired from teaching in 1986. Raymond married his wife, Nona, in 1964 and together they lived in Tulsa for 48 years until her passing in 2013. Raymond and Nona were inseparable and had one child, Michael in 1968. Raymond enjoyed teaching, hunting, fishing, gardening and electronic and mechanical pursuits. He liked participating in his amateur radio hobby with his son ,Terry Ray. He was an accomplished auto mechanic and ran race cars at the Tulsa County Speedway, the Muskogee Speedway, and Oklahoma City Speedway. Raymond was a history enthusiast and often used family vacations as an excuse to visit historical Civil War sites. Raymond was an avid college sports fan and attended Tulsa University women's basketball games with Nona. In recent years his he derived great pleasure in following his grandson, Tyler's, accomplishments on the baseball field. Raymond cherished the company of his family and treasured every moment that he was given with them. Raymond loved country music, especially Hank Williams Sr., Bob Wills, and John Michael Murphy. He and Nona travelled regularly to Branson to catch shows and dine on the Branson Belle while cruising the lake and enjoying each other's company. Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Funeral service will be 2:00 P.M., Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, Tulsa, OK. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

Raymond F. Smith

November 3, 1931 - February 23, 2019