Wesley Millard Smith's Obituary
Wesley Millard Smith, MMC(SS), a retired Tulsa Police Officer and a Navy Chief, passed away February 6, 2018 at the age of 65. He was born September 23, 1952 in Tulsa, OK to Lester Smith and Mary (Smith) DeShan.Wesley is preceded in passing by his parents, Mary and Preston DeShan, his father Lester Smith and his brother Charles Smith. He is survived by his wife Becky Smith; daughter Katy Baldrachi and her husband Ryan; daughter Emily Dunn and her husband Rustian; son Alex Smith; grandsons Talon and Charles Smith and their mother Melissa Scott; grandchildren James and Madelyn Dunn; and nieces Debbie, Julie and Laura.Wesley attended Whittier Elementary, Cleveland Jr. High and Oklahoma Military Academy. He graduated from Central High School in 1970 and attended Oklahoma Christian College in Edmond.While a senior at Central High School, Wesley met his True Love, Becky Carrell. They were married December 21, 1973 and shared many wonderful years raising their family in Tulsa. Life became even more exciting with the addition of their four beloved grandchildren. Wesley (“Dad”) became known as “Big Papa,” and spending time with his grandchildren was the greatest joy of his life.He had a very strong work ethic, always striving to be the best at everything he did, and he worked very hard to provide for his family. He worked extra jobs to pay for band trips, private school, college and all the extra things his kids needed along the way. He enjoyed being a mentor and had a sincere love for the young men he worked with.Wesley’s first trade was HVAC installation and repair, which he learned in the Navy. He enlisted in the United States Navy in August of 1971, serving in the Viet Nam era as a Machinist Mate on the USS Morton. He later went to Submarine School in Groton, CT and was assigned to the James Madison SSBN in Charleston, SC. In the Navy Reserve, he advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and was a Law Enforcement Physical Security instructor.Wesley graduated from the Tulsa Police Academy in 1990 and served on the Tulsa Police Department for 24 years before retiring in 2013 after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. He served on the TPD Honor Guard for twenty-two years, attending funerals of fallen police officers and offering support to their families. He was also a driving instructor and a Field Training Officer for the Tulsa Police Department.He returned to active duty after 9/11 and worked as an NCIS agent conducting port security assessments for our nation’s military ships on the West Coast and in the Middle East. He retired from the Navy in May 2007.Wesley’s military service provided opportunities for him to travel all over the world, and his photos and stories were always a delight to his family. But his greatest adventures were at home with his grandchildren, and there was no limit to the trouble they could get into!He will be truly missed by his family and friends.Visitation will be Sunday, February 11, 2018 from 5-7pm at Floral Haven Funeral Home.Funeral Service will be Monday February 12, 2018 at 12:30pm at Floral Haven Funeral Home chapel, followed by a graveside service and a reception in the Family Center.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Tulsa Police Memorial Foundation.
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