Paul Vernon Smith, age 81, passed away peacefully at his home 12-16-2020. He was born July 26, 1939 to Preston Odell Smith and Edna Mae Smith in Commerce, TX. The family returned to Conroe, TX until he was in the second grade. Here, a baby sister Mary Evelyn arrived in 1945. From second grade to fifth grade he went to school back in Commerce.
In 1950, Paul, his mother, known as Shine, and his sister moved to Oakley, KS. They joined his uncle, Dr. Jack Oney, who was in medical practice with Dr. James Marchbanks. Paul graduated from Oakley High School in 1957. He attended The University of Kansas and enrolled in the pre-pharmacy program. After the fall semester of 1958 he returned to Oakley and began working at Kenny’s Drug Store.
Here he met an Army recruiter and chose to join the Army versus being drafted. He took his military oath in March of 1959. He served as an Army Medic in the Korean Demilitarized Zone with the 15th Administration company of the 1st Cavalry Division. While stationed at Ft. Riley, KS he was reacquainted with Marjorie Stoecker, who was a student at The University of Kansas State. He was honorably discharged in March of 1962 and moved to Houston, TX to be with his mother and sister.
He and Marjorie continued their romance and they were married on 8-24-1963 in Mound City, KS. They lived in Houston where Paul continued his education at The University of Houston. He graduated with a bachelor of science in pharmacy in 1969. On an icy February day in 1970, Paul, Marge, Paula and Brad moved to Oakley where Paul went to work at Kenny’s Drug Store following the death of Kenny Kost. During the 70’s, three more children blessed the family, Pamela, Brian and Jeffrey.
It was also during this time Paul and Marge bought the pharmacy and Paul’s Pharmacy opened on Center Street and remained there until he closed the pharmacy in 2003. Marge passed away in March of 2000. On 8-18-2001 Paul married Dee Ann Ratliff and they started their new journey together. Paul and Dee Ann were able to enjoy time traveling. They went on an Alaskan cruise and were able to see the lovely beaches of Maui and Oahu. One of their highlights was a Shrine cruise down the Rhine River and a stop over in Amsterdam.
Paul was active in the Oakley community and his children’s
lives. He was a Cub Scout pack leader, 4-H Project Leader, T-ball coach
and active in the Logan County Shrine Club and Masonic Lodge. Paul was
a Scottish Rite member and a 32nd degree Mason. Due to his
military service he was inducted into the Shrine Legion of Honor. Paul
was very proud of his military service and it carried over to his love
of military history. In 2020 Paul was selected to take an Honor Flight
to Washington, D.C. to tour the war memorials. In later years Paul’s
favorite time was spent with his children and watching his
grand-children play together. He was a strong man and survived 2 major
cancers. Over time his health was slowly fading, but he was always
positive.
He is survived by his wife, Dee Ann; children, Paula
and Brad Clement of Greeley, CO, Brad and Becky Smith of Olathe, KS, Pam
and Mike White of Prairie Village, KS, Brian and Kelley Smith of
Wichita, KS, Jeff and Stacie Smith of Wichita, KS; Step-son, Darren and
Clarissa Eichenauer of Salina, KS; grandchildren, Madeline, Brady,
Hudson, Chloe, Mason, Gibson, Jorie, Ashley and Jessica;
great-grandchild, Falynn; sister, Mary Godfrey of Katie, TX and many
nieces and nephews.
Services will be 11:00 am Monday, December
21, 2020 at the Oakley Christian Church, with Masonic Rites and Military
Honors. Graveside service to follow at the Oakley Cemetery.
Visitation: 5 - 8 p.m. Sunday, December 20, at Kennedy-Koster Funeral
Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul’s name may be made to the Shriner’s Children's Hospital - Travel Fund for Families, and may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P. O. Box 221, Oakley 67748.