John Leroy Smith

John Leroy Smith, 78 of Cheyenne, Oklahoma was born on April 12, 1947, in Elk City, Oklahoma to Claude Leroy and Allie Katherine (Stewart) Smith. John looked upon the face of his Lord and Savior on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Roger Mills Memorial Hospital, Cheyenne, Oklahoma, surrounded by his loving family.

John proudly served his country in the United States Army during Vietnam from August 19, 1969 to May 19, 1971, and was honorably discharged as Specialist Four. During his time of service he was awarded the Army Commendation medal.

John married the love of his life, Joyce Faye Hiatt on June 24, 1967, at the First Baptist Church, Cheyenne, Oklahoma. Together they spent 58 1/2 wonderful years of marriage together and raised three children, Johnny, Jennifer and Jeremy.

John was an educator for many years and taught in the Reydon, Erick, and Cheyenne school districts. Following his retirement he continued to impact the lives of students as a substitute teacher. Following teaching he was a school board member for Cheyenne Public Schools, Cheyenne, Oklahoma. John also served the community as the Roger Mills County Treasurer for twenty years at Cheyenne, Oklahoma.

John enjoyed bird and deer hunting. He loved farming and ranching and in his spare time he could be found tending to his Limousin cattle. He treasured spending time with his family and friends. For decades, John found great joy in serving as Santa in numerous Christmas parades and celebrations. He was awarded the Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year in 2016.

John was an active member of the Farm Bureau Board and the Roger Mills Fair Board for many years. John also served on the Kiwanis Club, and was the President of the Old Settlers Reunion. He had a deep personal relationship with God and was a deacon of the First Baptist Church, Cheyenne, Oklahoma, and taught Sunday School classes at both Strong City First Baptist Church and Cheyenne First Baptist Church.

His love for life and the people in it will be deeply missed, but the memories he created will continue to provide comfort and joy to those he leaves behind. John's legacy is one of love and friendship, and he will live on in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 6, 2026 at Cheyenne First Baptist Church, Cheyenne, Oklahoma. His son, Brother Jeremy Smith will officiate and Rev. Jason Holland will assist. Interment will be at Red Hill Cemetery, Hammon, Oklahoma with military honors. Services have been entrusted to the care of Richard and Tammy Dugger and the staff of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Elk City, Oklahoma.

Cherishing his memory is his wife, Joyce Smith of Cheyenne, Oklahoma; two sons, Jeremy Smith and his wife, Vanessa of Midwest City, Oklahoma, Johnny Smith and his wife, Penny of Huntsville, Alabama; one daughter, Jennifer Valero and her husband, Noel of Edinburg, Texas; nine grandchildren, Monica Corbo and her husband, Jarred of New Hope, Alabama, Lauren Smith and her partner, Angel Monk of Huntsville, Alabama, Illyssa Smith of Huntsville, Alabama, Izabella Valero of Edinburg, Texas, Evelyn Valero of Edinburg, Texas, Arielle Valero of Edinburg, Texas, Kelsey Crum and her husband, Matthew of Harrah, Oklahoma, Johnathan Smith of Midwest City, Oklahoma, Shawn Smith of Midwest City, Oklahoma; four great grandchildren, Kerrigan Corbo of New Hope, Alabama, Lillian Corbo of New Hope, Alabama, Samuel Crum of Harrah, Oklahoma, Oakley Crum of Harrah, Oklahoma; one brother, Randy Smith and his wife, Vicky of Elk City, Oklahoma; one sister, Peggy Givens of Yukon, Oklahoma; and numerous other relatives and friends.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Claude Leroy and Allie Katherine Smith; and one sister, Margaret Rackley; and one brother-in-law, George Givens.

Memorials can be made to CASA in care of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.O. Box 707, Elk City, Oklahoma 73648.

We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of John at www.martin-duggerfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to invite all that cannot attend to watch the service live on Martin-Dugger Funeral Home and Cremation Services website.