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December 31, 2008 Roger L. Smith June 24, 1958 ~ December 31, 2008 Roger L. Smith of Paoli entered this life June 24, 1958 to James and Rachel [Meely] Smith in Lawton, Oklahoma. He entered into rest December 31, 2008 in Norman, Oklahoma at the age of 50 years. Roger grew up in Pauls Valley and Oklahoma City. He graduated from Douglas High School in Oklahoma City where he was president of the Student Advisory Committee and was an All-American running back. He excelled in athletics learning to swim before he could walk. He won many swimming awards while in high school and was given the chance in 1976 to train for the Olympics but instead decided to follow his dream of joining the Marine Corps to serve his country. While in the Marines, he was a rifle expert and served in Vietnam. After an honorable discharge from the marines, he attended school in Muskogee and received certification in diesel mechanics. He became the proud father of three beautiful daughters, Ashley, Alyssa and Jessyka, when he and Lisa Jane [Burrows] Kirkes were married. Roger was happy to be part of a wonderful family and loved his girls with all his heart. He always put his family first and sacrificed many times just to be sure that they were happy and well taken care of. He was a devoted family man. He was so proud of his sisters, nieces and nephews. He always looked forward to the good times they shared camping, fishing, playing pool and dominos and just hanging out on the porch. He will leave a void in the lives of many people who will always miss him, but never forget him. He will always and forever hold a special place in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He was working for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections at the time of his death. He was preceded in death by his parents: James and Rachel Smith; daughter: Jessyka Kirkes; and brother: Lavester Buckley. Survivors include his wife: Lisa Smith of the home; 2 daughters: Ashley Davis and husband, Cody, of Pauls Valley, Okla., and Alyssa Kirkes of the home; and 4 sisters: Rose Wadlow and husband, Delvin, of Sulphur, Okla., Clara McCulkan and husband, Danny, of Irving, Texas, Verna Loper of Pauls Valley, Okla., and Esther Thompson of Oklahoma City. Services were held Saturday afternoon, Jan. 3 at the First United Methodist Church in Pauls Valley with Pastor Hazel Wallace officiating. Interment at Paoli Cemetery in Paoli, Okla., was under the direction of Krien Funeral Home in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Pallbearers included Caleb Burrows, Nathan Thompson, Don Givens, Vincent Harrison, Ginger Titiriga and Shawn Dodson. Honorary Bearers were Pagnet Loper, Darrell Riley and Curtis Brown. |