A celebration of life for Christopher Neal Smith, 49, of Ada, will be held Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11 am, at the Criswell Funeral Home. Pastor James Williams will officiate. Burial will take place with a small grave side service on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 10 am at Rosedale Cemetery.
Chris passed away Saturday, October 28, 2023 at an Oklahoma City Hospital. He was born December 15, 1973 at Tulare, CA to Charles Dearl Smith, Sr. and Linda Marie Cavanaugh. He grew up in Ada and attended many of the surrounding schools. He graduated from Vanoss High School in 1992. He married his wife, Lisa Diane Martin, on March 23, 1994 in Ada. He began his nursing career by obtaining a CNA and Restorative Aid certification from Texas Career Center in 1995 in San Antonio,TX. He was the first person in his family to aspire to higher education and received his Licensed Practical Nurse degree from Pontotoc Technology Center in 2001. He inspired five members of his family to follow his example and obtain their nursing degrees, including his mother and two children. Chris worked in a variety of healthcare systems. However, he was passionate about geriatric care. He shared comfort and laughter with his residents and they provided him with wisdom and life stories. He inspired his staff to enjoy their job and take pride in their work. Together, they all created a family type atmosphere at Ballard Nursing Center, where he worked. He was so proud that they had recently been given state designation as the only five-star facility in Ada. He was on medical leave when he passed.
Chris subscribed to the philosophy of “work hard play hard!” He enjoyed playing golf, hunting, fishing, traveling and camping. He was a longtime member of Ada Hobo’s Campgrounds. He loved being out in nature where he felt closer to God. He worked on his own vehicles and did home remodeling. He loved watching hot-rod shows. He was a jack of all trades but a master of only one, nursing. He loved spending time with family and his favorite person in the world was his first grandson, Raymond Michael Linebarger. His greatest accomplishment was being the first to provoke uncontrollable belly-laughter from him. Chris was well known for his sense of humor, which was most appreciated by older people and small children.
Chris is survived by his wife, Lisa Smith, of the home, a son David Smith, of Ada; a daughter Kristen Linebarger and spouse JP Linebarger, of Ada; one grandson, Raymond Linebarger; his mother Linda Smith, of Holdenville, sisters: Andrea Smith of Holdenville and Serena Matthews of Oklahoma City, brothers: Steven Smith of California, Ronald Smith and spouse Tina of Oklahoma City; James Smith and spouse Tonya of Gaar Corner, Charles Smith, Jr. and spouse Tina of Gaar Corner, Frank Gonzales and spouse Desiree of Shawnee; Mathew Smith and spouse Sara of Oklahoma City; uncle, Richard Cavanaugh and wife LeAnn; and aunt, Pat Hunter. He had three cousins that he grew up with like siblings, David Fajardo, Tabitha Johnson, and Lashelle Marks. He is survived by hundreds more cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by a son Logan Michael Smith, brothers Rodney and Richard Smith, his father Charles Smith, Sr. and grandparents Charles and Ruby Smith and Neal and Helen Cavanaugh.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Christopher N Smith Memorial Fund at Pontotoc Technology Center, 601 W. 33rd St., Ada, OK 74820, which will help a student attend the LPN program.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
