Monday morning, December 7, 2009, Kenneth (Ken) Harley Smith, age 85, passed
away peacefully at home in Flower Mound, TX. He is survived by Bonnie S. Smith
beloved wife of 46 years; daughters, Marilyn S. Fitzpatrick and husband Jim, Sandra K.
Emrich, and Nancy L. Williams; sons, John K. Smith and wife Rosie, Steven K. Smith,
Stanley Kirk and Phil Kirk; 11 grandchildren, Dan Smith and wife Carlene, Lisa Emrich,
Dr. Jim Smith and wife Tiffany, Tracie Seimon and husband Anton, Paul Emrich and wife
Ginger, Christopher Smith, Tony Williams, Shaun Piegdon and wife Leiloni, Marcus
Smith and wife Holly, Lisa Kirk, and Heather Collins and husband Chad; 17 greatgrandchildren;
sister-in-law Veroqua Smith, a host of nieces and nephews, and other
relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by brother Shelby R. Smith and sister
Alice Marshall.
Ken was born at home on Thursday, May 29, 1924 in Edmond, OK, to John Allen Smith
and Grace Pearl Gray Smith. At the early age of 12, he established himself as a
successful salesman, selling and throwing papers on his ever-expanding paper route to
help support the family. Ken graduated from Central High School in Oklahoma City,
then served during World War II as a United States Navy pilot, flying the F6F-3 Hellcat.
July 17, 1945, Ken risked his life to save his plane when the engine failed, landing
safely in an open field, only to watch his plane burn when rescue vehicles arrived
without water. He flew small planes in the Navy through 1947 before leaving to attend
school. Ken returned to sales with Metropolitan Life Insurance, later sold and delivered
Townley Milk products, and worked as a furniture salesman until retirement. Ken stayed
active as an avid roller-skater and waterskier, and enjoyed music and writing poetry.
A funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at the First
Baptist Church, 301 South Mekusukey Street, Wewoka, OK, with burial to follow in
Oakwood Cemetery. Reverend Kenneth Wells will officiate. The family will receive
friends 5:00-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home,
740 S. Edmonds Lane, Lewisville, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
Northview Baptist Church Building Fund or the Organization of Donor's Choice