Robert Birch Smith passed away on June 9, 2019 in Yukon, OK at the age of 85.
He was born on July 12, 1933 in Holdenville, OK to Birch and Ellen Smith. He graduated from Central High School in 1951, and three years later would proudly enlist in the military.
He served in the US Army as a mechanical engineer from 1954-1956. He continued to serve in the Army Reserves for six years.
During his time of service, in 1955 he met the love of his life, Joise Pickle. Bob and Joise were married on September 27, 1958 at 25th & Geraldine Church of Christ and were happily married for over 60 years. In 1964, he would receive his Bachelor of Science in Business from Oklahoma City University. He retired from Western Electric – AT&T as a job analyst in 1989.
Bob was a faithful member of the Yukon Church of Christ for over 50 years and also served as a deacon for over 20 years. He loved playing golf, going to the gym, and the occasional prank. He recorded his first and only hole-in-one in 1975.
While he enjoyed all of these activities, there was nothing he loved more than his family. He had a special place in his heart for all 10 of his grandkids. He would sometimes get their names mixed up, so he decided to number each grandkid in the order they were born (1-10).
He is survived by his brother, Harlan & Mary Smith; sister, Sue Bowen; wife, Joise Smith and their 4 children and families: Kelley & Steve Bakke of Chickasha, Oklahoma and their children Chad and wife Bethany Bakke, April Bakke, and Jeramie and wife Tiffany Bakke; Monte & Tami Smith of Weatherford, Oklahoma and their children Kreig, Kelsey, and Karley Smith; Stacey & Greg Loud of Yukon, Oklahoma and their child Colby and wife Jenny Loud; Brett & Mallory Smith of Kansas City, Kansas and their children Kali, Colin, Heidi, and Brytni Smith; and 7 great-grandchildren Emma, Cooper, Boston, Amelia, Ezra, Ellie, and Karter.
He was preceded in death by his parents Birch & Ellen Smith and grandson Jarod Bakke.
Viewing will be held at 9 a.m. – noon, Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at Yanda & Son Funeral Home, Yukon, OK. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at South Yukon Church of Christ, 11700 NW 10th, Yukon, OK 73099 with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 13313 N. Kelley Ave., Oklahoma City, OK.
Online condolences may be signed at http://www.yandafuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, OK.
