Gerald Blaine Smith's Obituary
Gerald Blaine Smith or Blaine to all that knew him was born to Myrtle Mae (Wofford) and Dewey D. Smith on June 17th, 1933 near Hulbert, OK in an area now covered by Ft. Gibson Lake. He left this world peacefully on March 22, 2018 surrounded by family after a very long battle with the effects of dementia. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Bobby D. Smith and Floyd Dale Smith, two sisters Norma Jean Smith and Beatrice Norman and son Kenneth L. Smith. He is survived by his wife Bobbie, sons Larry and wife Jan, Jim and wife Tina, Greg and wife Angela and daughter-in law Brenda. Sisters Beverly Kay and husband Norman Cole and Judy Mae and husband Thad Forrester. He is also survived by grandchildren Daniel Smith, Mary and husband Alex Paulison, Ashley Smith, Clayton Smith, Cheyenne and husband Ronnie Coffman, Brynne Smith, Valerie Smith and Vincent Smith, great grandchildren Finn and Etta Jane Paulison, Lane Coffman as well as a host of nieces and nephews.Blaine spent most of his youth in the Hulbert area and then moved with his family to the Tahlequah area where he graduated from Bagley High School in 1952. He began College immediately at what is now Northeastern State University with his eyes on becoming a teacher. In January 1953 he and Bobbie Jo Maner were married and together they raised 4 sons, Larry, Jimmy, Kenneth and Greg. He loved his rural upbringing and he loved his siblings and often told stories of his youth and some of the capers that may or may not have included trying to “smoke” a squirrel out of a tree that may or may not have ignited the woods on fire that may or may not ever been known by his father. He did finish his formal education with his Doctorate from the University of Tulsa in 1977.Blaine recognized early in life that education would be his key to a better life and for over 40 years he loved everything about being an educator. In a career that began as a teacher in Derby, Kansas he was a classroom teacher, Dean of Boys, Assistant Principal, Principal, central office in several capacities, a long career as Assistant Superintendent in both Tulsa Public Schools and Broken Arrow Public Schools then finishing his career as the interim Superintendent for Union Public Schools. His professional career was honored as a 1997 inductee to the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame.He began teaching in Kansas at age 20 to support his family, with the rest of his formal education being completed during summers and nights. At first it was summers in Tahlequah to complete his Bachelor’s degree, then summers in Durant to complete a Master’s degree and finally night school to finish his formal education with his Doctorate from the University of Tulsa in 1977. Those early years were often a struggle balancing teaching, a young family, continuing his education and making ends meet. Whenever he could find time in his schedule he would work extra jobs that included driving a bus, carpentry, and for a number of years Sears. There was also a very busy school year starting in the fall of 1971 when each morning Blaine would head out to Memorial High School, Bobbie to Whittier Elementary, Larry to Rogers HS, Jim to Hale HS, Kenneth to Whitney Junior High and Greg to Jones Elementary. PTA memberships were an actual budget item that year.For a number of years family outings included fishing, hunting, camping and time at the cabin on Lake Hudson where water skiing could easily fill up a day. After retirement Bobbie and Blaine traveled as much as possible, often getting up and deciding on a day trip at breakfast. They bought a big house so they could entertain the grandkids all at once, although after a few years they thought smaller groupsmight be better. Never one for hobbies he began collecting deviled egg plates and accumulated a large collection over the years.He loved Bobbie, his children and their spouses, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, his parents, his siblings, his nieces and nephews, his colleagues and friends. His disease robbed him of his ability to communicate during those final years of life, but know you were loved. We love you Dad and may all of our memories be of those fun times.A service to honor the life of G. Blaine Smith will be held Saturday April 7th at Floral Haven Funeral Home at 3:00pm. Visitation will be Friday April 6th from 4-6 pm.Floral Haven Funeral Home 6500 S. 129th Broken Arrow, OK 74012Visitation will be held Friday, April 6, 2018 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Floral Haven Funeral Home Visitation Suites, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 7, 2018, 3:00 PM at the Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
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