Joseph 'Mike' Smith

Funeral service for Joseph “Mike” Smith will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, in the Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Lawton, with Curtis Erwin, Pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church, Elgin officiating.

Burial will be under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

Joseph “Mike” Smith, 69, of Cache was born to Edwin Douglas Smith and Mildred Laverne (Roberts) Smith on Dec. 31, 1953, at Fort Sill. He peacefully departed this earthly life surrounded by his daughter on Dec. 12, 2023.

In his early life, he had the opportunity to travel to many different countries due to his father being in the military. Some of these places include Germany (1957-60) and Taiwan (1967-69) where he attended Taipei American School and met his junior high school sweetheart- Kim Radcliff. He and Kim would reconnect many years later. He enlisted in the United States Army from 1973-76; he spent time in Fort Bragg and Fort Sill. He married Susan Katherine Meacham in February of 1973. From this union, they had a daughter, Gynger Allison Smith. He then graduated from Cameron University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology.

In 1979 he met Gaye Lynn Peterman and they were married the following year in February 1980. From this union they had a daughter, Ashley Cecilia Smith. They were married for 16 years. In February of 1984, he went to work for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He started in production and would later work his way up to management. From his new position he got the opportunity to travel to many Goodyear plants. He won many awards in his 34 years of service to Goodyear. His motto was, “You get what you put into it.” He put everything he had into it. He was never afraid of hard work, always willing to care for his people. He genuinely loved the people he worked with every day, many of whom he considered his good friends. His dedication and hard work inspired those around him. He retired in December of 2018. In 2000, he reconnected with his junior high sweetheart Kim Radcliff. They were married in 2003 and were together 14 years until her passing in 2017 from a long fight with breast cancer.

Beyond his professional life, Mike was a devoted father, grandfather and friend. He was incredibly proud of his grandchildren and doted on them every chance he could. He was very honored to be “Papa Boo Boo.” He cherished time spent with his family and created lasting memories with each generation. He was known for his love of the beach, Jimmy Buffett, college football (Boomer Sooner!) and was always willing to share his passion with others. He was a generous man and would have given the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it.

He is survived by his children: Gynger Smith and husband David Long of Lawton, and Ashley Lorah, and husband Bobby Lorah of Chattanooga; his grandchildren: Shelby Lorah, Rylee Lorah, and Jaxon Lorah; his siblings: Robert Smith of Louisiana, G Wayne Smith of Lawton, Faye and Rob Haskins of Owasso, and Ed Smith of Alabama. He gained two bonus daughters from his first wife Susan, whom he considered his own. Heather and Bailey Ballou, and Charlotte Spaulding, and five more grandchildren: Merrick Ballou, Brodey Ballou, Keagan Faulkner, Knox Avenall, and Lennon Avenall. His warm smile, kind heart, and gentle spirit will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Mildred Smith, and his wife, Kim (Radcliff) Smith.

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com