Oliver Wesley Smith passed away on June 21, 2022. “PeeWee,” as he was known to his family, was born in Marquez, Texas on December 16, 1922, to Charles and Dellie Mae Smith. The family moved to Houston when he was 9 years old. He attended Milby High School through the 11th grade. At the age of 17, he began working for Houston Lighting & Power. In September 1942, he joined the U.S. Marine Corp., fighting in the Pacific Arena during World War II. He was seriously wounded during the Liberation Invasion of Guam in 1944. After healing from his wounds, for which he received the Purple Heart, he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corp, on April 4, 1945. In 1945, he rejoined HL&P and he married his sweetheart, Mildred “Mickey” Magee; they had one daughter, Sandra. Oliver and Mickey had over 50 wonderful years together before her passing in 1996. In December 1998, he married Phyllis Arsenault LaLonde and embraced her large family as his own. Together they enjoyed traveling, playing bridge and especially being involved with numerous Marine Corp. Association activities.
Oliver loved God and God loved him. He enjoyed serving others through various ministries at his church, spending time with family and friends, woodworking, fishing, gardening and playing his harmonica. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, his wife, Mickey and their daughter, Sandy. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, and her children – daughter, Jeanne Hollkamp, and sons Tom LaLonde, Rev. Wally LaLonde, Mark LaLonde, John LaLonde, Steve LaLonde and Jimmy LaLonde – and their spouses, 21 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as his son-in-law, Stan Sosinski.
Services for Oliver will be held at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale St., Houston, TX 77023.
Visitation on Wednesday, 6/29/2022, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Rosary starting at 7:00 pm. Funeral service on Thursday, 6/30/2022 at 10:00 am, burial immediately following.
In lieu of the usual remembrances, the family suggests donations be made in his honor to First United Methodist Church – Pearland, 2314 N. Grand Blvd., Pearland, TX 77581, www.fumcpearland.org, or a charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Smith family.
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