Roy Lee Smith

Roy Lee Smith was born in Fairfield, Iowa on October 23, 1943, to Burl Smith and Anna Lee (Merrick) Smith. He passed away on April 14, 2025, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Roy spent the majority of his life in Oklahoma, where he built a loving home and shared nearly five decades of marriage with his beloved wife. After her passing in 2018, he relocated to Iowa to be closer to family. Roy graduated from Douds-Leando High School in 1961 and went on to earn both a bachelor's degree in management and a master's degree in communication from Oklahoma University. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1966. Following his military service, Roy dedicated over 30 years of his life to a career in banking and finance. He also spent time sharing his knowledge as a teacher in the Aviation and Aerospace department at Southwest Technology Center for 15+ years and as coach, leaving a lasting impact on those he taught and mentored.
On February 28, 1969, Roy married G. Elaine Smith in Oklahoma City. Together, they built a life rooted in love, family, and faith. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Church and an active member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and the York Rite, supporting values of education and community service.
He had a lifelong interest doing anything outdoors, in his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and flying. Roy Lee will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, honorable veteran, and a man of strong faith and integrity. His legacy will live on through his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Roy is survived by his daughter, Tanya Arp of Toledo, Iowa; son, Matthew Allen Smith of Irvine, California; and stepson, Robert Wright Jr. of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by his sister, Kay Bailey of Denver, Colorado; and his brother, Ray Smith of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Roy was a proud grandfather to Garrett Arp, Logan Arp, Mackenzie Smith, and Sydney Arp. He was preceded in death by his parents, Burl and Anna Lee Smith; his loving wife, G. Elaine Smith; and his granddaughter, Savannah Arp.
The family will formally greet friends from 10:00 AM – Noon on Monday, May 12, 2025, with services scheduled for 1:00 PM in the Kincannon Memorial Chapel, 3020 N. Main, Altus, OK 73525, (580) 482-1800. Burial will immediately follow at the Willow Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests that memorials in Roy's name be made to the Dementia Society of America.