Wayne Dee Smalley's Obituary
Wayne Dee Smalley, 88 of Tulsa, Oklahoma passed from this life on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 in Tulsa. He was born April 18, 1932 in Salt Fork, Oklahoma to his parents, Forrest William Smalley and Lilly Mathilda Meberg Smalley but grew up on a farm in Kansas. He married the love of his life, Joyce Dee Graves on July 7, 1957. They have shared in over 63 wonderful years together, having laughs, making memories, and inspiring love in others every step of the way. They both say the key is laughter.
Wayne served in the Korean War as a military police officer in his youth, and travelled all over the US and Europe in his retirement years. He worked at RC Cola for over 20 years where he contributed to its growth and was recognized for service awards regularly. Wayne was an accomplished wood worker making furniture, fretwork clocks, jewelry boxes, etc, and received first place ribbons at the Tulsa State Fair several years in a row. He could do anything with his hands, from stained glass to wood carving, and often created special projects for people he cared about on his own accord. You could always catch him working a puzzle (with a piece probably missing), going to estate sales, and having a witty come back ready; his favorite things included Christmas lights, fireworks, driving a school bus, climbing trees, and making people laugh. Words aren’t enough to describe his strengths, highlight his spirit, or explain what he meant to everyone that came into contact with him. He was truly one of a kind, and always humble.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Smalley of the home; three children, Gayle Lynne Smalley of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kelly Hughes of Owasso, Oklahoma and Doug Smalley and his wife Delana of Tulsa, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Megan Smalley, Jason Smalley and his wife Jenny, Samantha Gualtieri and her husband Jon, Danielle Bolivar and her husband Jonathan and Erin Hughes; one great-grandson, Luca Gualtieri; a sister, Janie Lewis and her husband Donald; and many friends and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Forrest and Lilly Smalley; two brothers, Louie Ernest Smalley and Gary Lee Smalley and one grandson, Michael Shawn Hughes Jr.
Visitation will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Monday, January 25, 2021 at Floral Haven Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at Floral Haven Funeral Home.
***Services will be live streamed starting at 2:55 PM on 1/26/2021. To view the service live, please click on the following link: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/45743
***Masks are required if you plan to attend the service in person.
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