Eugene Gene Smith

Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home.

Mr. Smith passed away, Saturday, April 26, 2014, in Shawnee.

Gene was born June 4, 1924, in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, to Earl and Jessie Ethel (Phillips) Smith. He grew up as a farm boy in southern Pottawatomie and northern Pontotoc counties. He married Mary Oathaline Finchum in Konowa, Oklahoma in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe in the South Pacific during World War II and also served in the Korean Conflict. He was an instructor for the Independent Garage Members Association for several years and was owner/operator of Gene’s Garage until his retirement in 1986. Gene was active with his family and fundraisers, the Eye Foundation and the Masonic Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary in 1982; two brothers: Uel Smith in 1974 and Greenberry, “Joe” “Buddy” Bailey in 2007; sister-in law: Dorothy Smith in 2013; brother-in-law: Frank Landry in 2000; mother-in-law: Athie Finchum in 1992; and sister-in-law: Jan Bailey in 2014.

He is survived by one daughter: Andria Jean Diggs and her husband, Tommy of Shawnee; one grandson: Robert Childers, Oklahoma City, OK; two great grandsons: Robert Logan Childers, HI and Austin David Childers, Norman, OK; two sisters: Cecil Frankie Qualls and her husband, Bill, Muldrow, OK and Frances Ethel Landry, Earlsboro, OK; extended family: Eddie & Pam Diggs and family, Schertz, TX, Anthony & Denise Diggs and family, Moore, OK and Kenneth & Jackie Diggs and family, Norman, OK; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, 1033 Long Prairie Road, Suite 5, Flower Mound, TX 75022 www.knigghtstemplar.org/ktef/.