I have had three great losses in my life - my husband, Fred, last year, my dad, Richard, in 2004 and Uncle Bee, in 2019.  These three men's deaths affected me very deeply and I was always grateful that I did see Uncle Bee (after he passed) and spent a few moments with him and told him that Aunt Betty, my mom and dad and everyone would be ready to greet him, and I'm sure everyone did.  Uncle Bee, in my opinion, was the fun one along with Uncle Eddie, but when the three brothers got together, you knew you were in for a special occasion.  Rest in Peace Uncle Bee - I love you Judi Joy

Uncle Bee . .
I can still hear his voice in my memory . . When I was little, it was ‘Katie lets go catch some fireflies’ , or pet the dog, or churn the ice cream.  Then later when we’d visit, he always had something fun to checkout  . . a new airplane, a camper, a boat, a newer camera than last visit, & a minimum of two or three cars!   Such fun . . .
Always, I’ll remember him smiling.
Kate

I am so sorry to hear of Uncle B's death.He was always kind to me.I wasn't physically present for this side of the family that often,but my heart has always known you are my other half.I have such warm memories of Uncle B and Betty that I cherish.I wish peace,strength,and love to you all.
Susan


 UNCLE BEE,

My Dad once said, "Bee has a Doctor of Motors degree.   He can fix anything."  In my years watching him I found that to be true.  When my Dad really got frustrated he would call Bee.   He soon either had the solution or the promise to come up and fix things.
 
 My Dad, Bee, and Uncle Eddie all were in the Navy in WWII.  They were rightly proud of that fact for the rest of their lives.  But Uncle Bee, my cousin Susan, and I shared a longer association with the US Navy.  After repairing ships throughout WWII at Pearl Harbor Bee returned to Oklahoma City.   He joined the reserve Construction Battalion 'Seabees'.   Admiral Ernest King once said of them, "Your ingenuity and fortitude have become a legend in the Naval Service.  Seabees believe that anything they are tasked with, they "Can Do".  Another Seabee quote is, "The difficult we do now.  The impossible takes a little longer."
 
I am currently working in a conflict area but happened to meet six SEABEEs literally last week on 11 October.  I told them about Bee and they were amazed to hear all the stories and how long he had served in the Navy Reserves.  At the end one of them came up to me and said, "I am in awe of those men.  And that's why I wanted to be a SeaBee."
 
When my wife had our daughter Lacey prematurely at Balboa Naval Hospital, the first one to see her after my wife and I was Uncle Bee.  This was 1979 and he was still an active drilling reservist with the rank of Senior Chief.  The Naval personnel at Balboa were in awe of him and said, "We don't know anybody who was in WWII!"

But on that visit he was kind, quiet, encouraging, and his words really helped my wife and I watching the little 2.5 pound preemie fight for life.
 
Bee was family but also a friend, a mentor, an adviser.   He was a man who enriched our lives.  He ALWAYS had a solution - no matter what the problem or issue.

From the Navy we shared I wish him, "Fair winds and following seas."
 
Sincerely,
Rick Smethers

Dear Sandra and Family, 
Kent and I both are truly sorry for your loss, your dad was a wonderful man. I have so many great memories of him and the patience he always showed, especially in attempting to teach me to water ski! He was always loving, kind, friendly, and welcoming. I know he will be missed. May all of you be comforted in the wonderful memories you have and in knowing,  it’s not goodbye but see you later.  Love to you all, Debbie and Kent

I've only known JJ for about 8 years, which was only a fraction of his life, but in that time he taught me countless life lessons that I will always carry with me. I was blessed to know JJ as a man who had worked for his entire life, and yet even in retirement seemed to stay busier with projects than most people who have jobs. JJ simply refused to slow down, exercising every day and maintaining a constant routine that kept his mind and his body going. In a world that throws everything away when it breaks, JJ taught me how to fix things. Everytime I saw him, he had some project that he had saved from who knows how long ago that he was tinkering with, working diligently to bring it back to life. I will never forget the lessons in persistence, patience, and ingenuity that he gave me while we sat around and worked on those little projects together. It is only now looking back that I see, JJ wasnt interested in those projects once they were finished, instead he was using that time together to encourage, challenge, and teach me lessons I might not have listened to any other way. Like everyone, JJ had his flaws, but he would tell you exactly what he thought whether you liked his opinion or not, he was kind, he was generous, and he was resolute in his faith. He will always be the example I strive to live up to. I will miss him so much and selfishly I am not ready for him to be gone, but there is no doubt in my mind that when he met the Lord on Friday he heard the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." 

I was very blessed to have Uncle Bee as my relative - he was always my favorite uncle and like a second dad, especially when my dad was paralyzed - he would come down and visit my dad when he was paralyzed and would talk to dad and I and he would always call and ask how ''Bub''was doing and went with me to another doctor to get a second opinion for my dad - I would be at home (in Texas) and the phone would ring and it would be Uncle Bee - I would ask him what was going on and he would say 'Well, let me tell you what has happen to me  lately'' and he would proceed to tell me about falling, doctor visits etc  - the last time he called I was at work and he talked to my husband, it was about the flooding in Houston, and he thought I still lived there, which I don't, so when I got home from work I called him and said we were fine.  We had such good and sweet conversations which I will always remember - the last time I was here in OKC, my daughter, granddaughter, grandson and I spent 4 hours with him at his home - I will remember that visit forever - I was also born on his birthday  - I love you Uncle Bee - Judi Joy Smethers (Judi Ray)

OBITUARY

Jess "J.J." Junior Smethers

26 August, 1923 – 18 October, 2019

Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors and Rose Hill Burial Park

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