Ronald Gene Smith

Ronald Gene Smith passed from this life on January 3, 2024 to live with his Heavenly Father, whom he loved and served. Ronald was born on June 2, 1941 in Wagoner, OK to Clarence and Lera (Hammer) Smith. He grew up in Wagoner but attended Okay High School and graduated in 1959. He met his wife to be, Janice Sharp, when her family moved from Muskogee to Okay in 1957. He never dreamed that the new young teenage girl with the long-brown hair and a pony tail would become his bride and they would share fifty-nine years together. They were married on March 7, 1964 at Bethel Temple Church in Muskogee and moved to Del City, Oklahoma near Tinker Air Force Base.
Ronald served in the United States Air Force from January, 1962 to January, 1966. After his training in the medical field as a Dental Specialist Assistant, he was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. In 1965 he received a Good Conduct Medal for his demonstration of exemplary behavior and efficiency. After an honorable discharge, he and his wife moved to Muskogee in 1966 where he began working in the plant at Fansteel Metals. They soon had three daughters and were faithful and active members of Bethel Temple Church for over 30 years. They were currently members of Grandview Tabernacle Church in Muskogee.
Ronald was a Christian and a devoted husband and father. He was diligent in furthering his education in order to provide well for his family. He graduated from Conner's State College on May 15, 1969 with an Associate in Science Degree. Then he attended Northeastern State College and graduated on May 14, 1971 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Much to his surprise, Fansteel then promoted him to the position of Controller Accountant.
Despite having continued eye problems, which resulted in corneal transplants in 1981, Ronald pursued a Masters Degree, which required a letter of recommendation. In September of 1988, the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Fansteel Metals in Chicago, wrote that in his 37 years of hiring controllers, Ronald was the most outstanding and the best controller in the organization! Very few people ever knew he had received such an honorable letter. He then enrolled in the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University to study for a Masters Degree and graduated on January 29, 1990. He was issued a certificate from the Oklahoma Accountancy Board and was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant on January 28, 1993. He remained at Fansteel until he retired in 1993. Ronald had a long-time friend that owned a printing business called Franklin Graphics and was persuaded to become their accountant. He retired from there when he was in his mid seventies.
Ronald was a man of integrity and a country boy at heart. He was a man of few words but his family's needs were always foremost in his mind. He was a big guy with a rough exterior, but he had a soft heart. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, watching football and eating popcorn. He was a great OU fan! His favorite foods were steak and fries, ice cream and homemade pecan pie. He was proud of his Gold Wing motorcycle and he also had a four-wheeler. Some of his fondest memories were going on road trips with the guys, and spending time with his kids and grandkids. He was a natural sportsman and did very well playing basketball and baseball in school. He declined an opportunity to try out for the Detroit Tigers in the early 60's, after a scout observed him playing baseball at a field in Wagoner, OK.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Richard Smith and DeWayne Smith; grandson Joseph Benjamin James. Ronald is survived by his wife, Janice; his daughters, Aimee Smith, Annette James and her husband John, and Stephanie Estep. He is also survived by his brother, Jimmy Smith and his wife Missy; his sister, Patsy Owen and her husband Jarrett: four grandchildren; Cody, Zachary, Malorie Burroughs, Dillon Elrod and his wife Brittany: four great-grandchildren; Jett and Blair Binns, River and Rylee Elrod and one step great-grandchild, Ryder Sloan.