Everett Grady Smith

December 2, 1923 - June 29, 2012

Everett G. Smith Nicknames: E.G. and Papa D.O.B. December 2, 1923 Retired from C.E. NATCO where he was known as Smittie Born in Booneville, Arkansas A man of humble beginnings, who grew up to be the greatest strength of his family.   E.G.’s generation is often noted America’s greatest generation because of their heartiness, compassion and willingness to give and protect.   When you met E.G., he was the perfect definition of this. His loyalty and compassion to his family, friends and work are unrivaled. E.G. used to tell stories of being young and withdrawn from school so that he could work the fields during the Depression era. He told of how one of the only ways out was to join the service. At the time, America was gearing up to enter World War II. So, E.G. joined the service and became part of the U.S. Army Air Corp based in Fort Smith, Arkansas. During his time there, E.G. became a drill instructor. For those of us who know him as a quiet and reserved gentleman, can you imagine him barking out orders to new recruits? He used to chuckle and laugh when he would talk about how the soldiers would get out of formation. The entire form would come to a stop like a freight train with the shoulders of the soldiers bumping into each other like a freight train piling up. In the end, he said we made the soldiers do it again and again until they all finally got it correct. E.G.’s work ethic and abilities paid off because he told the story of when they were giving them marching orders and told to stand in line ready to be shipped off to war, that an officer came forward and picked him and three others out of the crowd and they were sent off to England where E.G. later became a staff sergeant for a General. He told stories of when they were based in England and he and many others would have to go up with this General in a bomber that was converted into an observation plane in order to view the damage firsthand that the Air Corp had inflicted on the enemy. He said that while up in the plane, the explosions that were going off were so close to the plane that it rocked it violently. The entire time this is going on, the General is drinking coffee, confidently viewing maps, in addition to taking in information from staff. E.G. said the air of confidence and security that he felt when he was around the General made him feel that nothing bad was going to happen no matter what was going on around you. Everything was going to be okay. E.G. was that strength in our family. When you were around him, everything was going to be all right. E.G. was as generous as any man could be with his time, his love. He used to give his rations away to the English staff because they had nothing. Once, when he found out that a Danish gentleman in the local brewery was a pipe smoker, he would take his tobacco rations to him whenever they made a trip to the brewery. E.G. never had to load another keg again. He used to joke that his main job in the service was “beer supply”…..although he did not drink. This is the type of man E.G. was, thoughtful, kind and giving. When E.G. returned home from the service, he married Eva Mae and joined the C.E. Natco company where he remained during his entire career.  E.G. and Eva had four children: Jack, Sue, Everett and Randy. He would always smile and laugh and tell stories of their exploits, whether it was Jack, Everett or Randy tearing through the garden on their motor bikes; Randy’s great ability with the football, or talking about his caring and beautiful daughter Sue. Arguably, these are the most treasured gifts he had. However, he equally treasured and was just as proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  E.G.’s great grandchildren had the great privilege of knowing a fine man who had lived through the worst of times and the best of times. He was so loved, that family friends checked on him continuously. A special thank you to Howard Cloud who never failed to step in when needed and John, Marvella and Daniel Harjo who often cooked dinner for him. A thank you to all of our wonderful family friends and extended family that loved and supported him. The interest in the activities of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, are what kept him going. Whether it was Everett and Grady’s race cars or some other project in the shop, which required his neverending supervision, because as we all know, Everett and Grady couldn’t build anything properly without E.G.’s oversight. He was always interested in Erica’s events at OSU, Darren and Debbie’s endless backyard projects and Christopher and Victoria’s shenanigans that Chris would make sure to update him on. The stories of E.G.’s life truly reflect the type of man he was and these are only a few of what we have shared with you today. He will surely be missed.