MICHAEL SMITH

MICHAEL SMITH 08/03/1971 - 11/01/2025 Michael "Adron" Smith was born in Oklahoma City on August 3, 1971, and passed away on November 1, 2025, in Prague, Okla., at the age of 54. He attended school from kindergarten through 12th grade in Prague, graduating from Prague High School in 1989. He later attended OSU-OKC, where he earned his associate's degree in horticulture. Adron served proudly in the United States Navy from 1991 through 1997. He was stationed on the USS Arthur W. Radford Destroyer out of Norfolk, Va., where he served as a Nato Sea Sparrow Surface Missile Service Technician and held the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class. During his service he earned numerous awards and medals, reflecting his dedication, skill and steady commitment to his country. In 2005, he married Misty Milnes in Oklahoma City. Their greatest joy came later that year with the birth of their son, Samuel Adron Smith, on November 17, 2005. Misty honored Adron's life and memory with this touching and deeply heartfelt message: "My ex Adron passed away this week. He only got to be a dad to Sam for a short time. He loved being his dad. Adron suffered from schizophrenia. He tried to be a good dad and he was, but his mental illness was all consuming. I loved him and still do. Sam and I had a family with him but not long enough. I am happy you are now at peace." Sam was the world to Adron. After Sam's birth, Adron stayed home and built his own small business, supplying high end restaurants with specialty tomatoes and other vegetables. He cared for Sam full time while running his thriving garden, often making deliveries with Sam tucked securely in a backpack. Growing up in Prague, Adron was well liked for his easy-going nature and natural charm. He played baseball, basketball, football and ran track. He sang in music class and competed in choral competitions, sharing his strong voice and confidence with those around him. He had a sharp and mischievous sense of humor, one that sometimes earned him a raised eyebrow from teachers but always brought laughter to his friends. During high school he worked through a talent agency and did some modeling and small acting jobs, a fun and unexpected chapter that showed his adventurous spirit. After his Navy service, Adron traveled widely, exploring many cities and states. His curiosity was immense and his understanding of world cultures, history and biblical scripture was remarkable. Those who talked with him often walked away having learned something new. Adron loved the ocean deeply and tried to stay as close to it as life would allow. He surfed, was a scuba diver, sailed and fished for lobster. He also enjoyed playing the banjo in his adult life and even named one of his beloved dogs after Earl Scruggs, the legendary banjo player. He had many other interests that brough him joy. Photography was one of them captured striking nature scenes and meaningful portraits of people experiencing homelessness. His cooking was another gift he shared freely, known for flavorful dishes and homemade creations. His yeast bread, pizza, burritos, cookies, cakes and homemade wine were especially memorable. He also had a remarkable and almost mystical talent for training animals. He trained dogs, chickens, doves, parakeets and even a crow he rescued as a baby. His gentle patience and quiet understanding of animals made him stand out in a way that those close to him never forgot. Adron was preceded in death by his grandparents, Adron "Paw Paw" Holland and Grandma Hayes; uncles, Joe Smith and Don and Vernon Holland; aunt, Billie Dean Self and sister, Talina Pinion. Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Samuel Adron Smith; his mother, Judy (Holland) Fleming; his father, Palmer Smith; his brother, Todd Smith; his brother-in-law, Danny Pinion; nieces and nephews, Brittany Smelser and David, Jacob Pinion, Victoria Anderson, Micayla Smith and Cale Smith; great-nieces and -nephews, Seth Smelser, Jypsy Smelser, Jayci Pinion and Ethan Pinion; aunt, Janis Armstrong and Travis; uncle, Kenny Holland and Jennifer and a host of family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Adron's honor Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The CF Foundation was dear to Adron as it benefited his son, Sam and all the others faced with this debilitating disease. A celebration of life service is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel in Prague. Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service of Prague. An online guestbook is available at www.parksbrothers.net.