Services planned this week for Lee Roy Smith, Jr., 83, patriarch of Oklahoma's Smith wrestling family
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by Smith family
Photos of Lee Roy Smith, Jr., courtesy of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Smith family..
OBITUARY
Lee Roy Smith
JULY 14, 1935 – MARCH 10, 2019
Lee Roy Smith, Jr., a longtime resident of Del City, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at the age of 83.
He was born July 14, 1935 to Lee Roy and Beatrice Williams Smith. After graduating from Southeast High School, he played two years of college basketball before proudly serving in the U. S. Army in Korea.
Upon his return, Lee Roy married the love of his life, Madalene Volturo Smith on August 19, 1956. They enjoyed 62 years together watching their family grow. A devout Catholic, he ardently studied his faith and was a founding member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. He was a leader on the parish council and served as a lector for his parish for many years.
He was the Director of Data Processing at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation until his retirement in 1988. Lee Roy enjoyed volunteering. He served on the Midwest City-Del City School Board for 10 years. He was a founding member of the Del City Junior Sports Association, vice president of the Del City Takedown Club, and a board member of Oklahoma USA Wrestling. He volunteered at countless wrestling tournaments, including NCAA Championships and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Lee Roy's true passion was his family. He loved following his four sons’ athletic careers, and was equally happy coaching his daughters’ softball teams in their younger years. He was never happier than when he was outdoors, especially with his grandchildren. He loved camping, hunting, fishing and woodworking.
He is preceded in death by his parents and four sisters. He is survived by his wife; 10 children, Margaret Realmuto (Dave), Lee Roy Smith, III (Lisa), Cathy Perry (Mark), JoAnn Patterson (Nick), Rita White (Chuck), Carol Hardin (Barlo), John Smith (Toni), MaryAnn White (Derrel), Pat Smith (Chelsee), Mark Smith (Jenny); 35 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Visitation is planned from 4:30-6:30 p.m., followed by a rosary at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 14 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church at 3901 S. Sunnylane Rd. in Del City. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, also at the church. He will be laid to rest at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Hartshorn, Oklahoma.
PALLBEARERS
Tony Realmuto
Jacob Realmuto
Mark Perry
Chris Perry
Nicholas Patterson
Connor Patterson
Chuck White III
Barlo Hardin II
Joseph Smith
Sam Smith
Levi Smith
Matthew White
Zachary White
Gus Smith
Boone Smith
Hunter Smith
Luke Smith
From National Wrestling Hall of Fame Executive Director Lee Roy Smith:
On behalf of my mother, my sisters, my brothers and all of our large family, It is with profound sadness and yet great joy that we share that our beloved father Lee Roy Smith passed into the arms of the angels this evening. He not only practiced his faith, but truly lived it as a shining example of love, loyalty, compassion and service, not only to his family but to all who knew him. We ask for your prayers for him and for all of us who will miss him so dearly.
OBITUARY
Lee Roy Smith
JULY 14, 1935 – MARCH 10, 2019
Lee Roy Smith, Jr., a longtime resident of Del City, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at the age of 83.
He was born July 14, 1935 to Lee Roy and Beatrice Williams Smith. After graduating from Southeast High School, he played two years of college basketball before proudly serving in the U. S. Army in Korea.
Upon his return, Lee Roy married the love of his life, Madalene Volturo Smith on August 19, 1956. They enjoyed 62 years together watching their family grow. A devout Catholic, he ardently studied his faith and was a founding member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. He was a leader on the parish council and served as a lector for his parish for many years.
He was the Director of Data Processing at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation until his retirement in 1988. Lee Roy enjoyed volunteering. He served on the Midwest City-Del City School Board for 10 years. He was a founding member of the Del City Junior Sports Association, vice president of the Del City Takedown Club, and a board member of Oklahoma USA Wrestling. He volunteered at countless wrestling tournaments, including NCAA Championships and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Lee Roy's true passion was his family. He loved following his four sons’ athletic careers, and was equally happy coaching his daughters’ softball teams in their younger years. He was never happier than when he was outdoors, especially with his grandchildren. He loved camping, hunting, fishing and woodworking.
He is preceded in death by his parents and four sisters. He is survived by his wife; 10 children, Margaret Realmuto (Dave), Lee Roy Smith, III (Lisa), Cathy Perry (Mark), JoAnn Patterson (Nick), Rita White (Chuck), Carol Hardin (Barlo), John Smith (Toni), MaryAnn White (Derrel), Pat Smith (Chelsee), Mark Smith (Jenny); 35 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Visitation is planned from 4:30-6:30 p.m., followed by a rosary at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 14 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church at 3901 S. Sunnylane Rd. in Del City. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, also at the church. He will be laid to rest at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Hartshorn, Oklahoma.
PALLBEARERS
Tony Realmuto
Jacob Realmuto
Mark Perry
Chris Perry
Nicholas Patterson
Connor Patterson
Chuck White III
Barlo Hardin II
Joseph Smith
Sam Smith
Levi Smith
Matthew White
Zachary White
Gus Smith
Boone Smith
Hunter Smith
Luke Smith
From National Wrestling Hall of Fame Executive Director Lee Roy Smith:
On behalf of my mother, my sisters, my brothers and all of our large family, It is with profound sadness and yet great joy that we share that our beloved father Lee Roy Smith passed into the arms of the angels this evening. He not only practiced his faith, but truly lived it as a shining example of love, loyalty, compassion and service, not only to his family but to all who knew him. We ask for your prayers for him and for all of us who will miss him so dearly.
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