Edward Smith Obituary

Edward H. Smith III was born in Elk City, Oklahoma on July 18, 1946, to Edward Smith, Jr. and Meryl Coulson Smith. He passed peacefully from this life on January 10, 2025 at his home near Camargo, Oklahoma, as a result of worsening heart disease. He was the eldest son, followed by siblings James and Rob. He attended all twelve years of school at Leedey Public Schools, and was well aware that if he got in trouble at school, his bus-mechanic father, or his elementary teacher mother would definitely find out about it. Being raised on a dairy farm instilled a strong work ethic, which would mold him into the man that he was to become.
After graduation from high school in 1964, he attended Oklahoma State University with the intent of becoming a vet. College wasn't for him, and since he always had a deep respect for his father's WWII military service, he joined the U. S. Army, 95th Division, for 6 months active duty, followed by six years of Army Reserve, with honorable discharge in December 1971. He was a lifelong member of the Leedey Methodist Church, and was christened there in a dress made from his father's WWII parachute. On November 19, 1971, he married Mary Sue (McCormick) McCracken at Woodward, Oklahoma. He not only gained a wife and life-partner, but also three children, Monte, Larry, and Gayla, whom he raised as his own. They first lived at Woodward, then a few years at Leedey, finally to their own farm near Camargo, where they raised registered Quarter horses, later show pig prospects, and finally cattle, up to the present. He greatly enjoyed taking care of his cattle, and prided himself on keeping them in good condition as he was taught by his father.
During his teen years Ed had the opportunity to start learning to operate a bulldozer from a neighbor, Dale Graybill. This was his calling, and he spent forty-plus years in the oilfield as a heavy equipment operator, only becoming more skillful as the years went by. Several years were also spent working as a forklift operator for BNSF Railroad, laying rail from Alva, OK to Ft. Sumner, NM. Upon leaving the oilfield, he was employed on the Barnes Ranch east of Camargo as an equipment operator and ranch hand. After it was purchased by Joe D. Hall, to become the 4GH Ranch, he was totally satisfied and stayed until his retirement. Through the years his hobbies included team roping, hunting, fishing, metal art, and later RV camping in Colorado, but best was visiting with his friends!
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Ed and Sadie Smith, and Dr. J. W. and Bernice Coulson, parents Edward and Meryl Smith, brother Rob Smith, and father-and mother-in-law Hal and Bernice McCormick. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty three years, Sue, of the home, children Monte McCracken of Golden CO, Larry and Linda McCracken of Woodward, Gayla and David Logan of Conifer, CO, brother James and Joyce Smith of Leedey, brother-in-law Jim McCormick of Woodward, Grandchildren Erin and Chad Kochenower of Kingfisher, Ethan and Liz McCracken and family of Camargo, Alea and Jeff Shewmake and family of Garland TX, Darby Logan and fiance Antoni Meyer of Highlands Ranch, CO, as well as several nieces and nephews, other relatives, and an incredible host of friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the South Canadian Neighbors
c/o Shaw Funeral Home
PO Box 276
Vici, OK 73859
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Edward H. Smith, III, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.