1926-2020
Graveside services for Eugene “Gene” Murriel Smith, 94-year-old Hydro resident, will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2020, in the Hydro Masonic Cemetery with Joe Sanders officiating. Services are under the Lockstone Funeral Home of Weatherford. The family will receive friends 2-4 p.m. Saturday, October 17, 2020, at the funeral home.
Gene was born June 20, 1926, in Lookeba to Henry Madison and Myrtle Mae (Gifford) Smith and passed away Thursday, October 15, 2020 at Maple Lawn Manor in Hydro.
Gene was raised and attended school in Hydro, graduating from Hydro High School. After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in Italy during WWII. Gene married Goldia Fay McDougale July 24, 1947, in Weatherford.
They made their home in Weatherford where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education from Southwestern State College. Gene taught in Weatherford, Arnett, Hughes schools and in Cache for 21 years. He had a total of 30 years in teaching when he retired in 1986.
Gene was active member in the First Baptist Church in Hydro and also served as a deacon. He enjoyed camping, traveling, golfing and spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include: his wife of 73 years, Goldia Smith, of their home in Hydro; one daughter, Lynnette Driskill, of Yukon; one son, Larry Smith, of Lawton; one sister, Velma Jean Henderson, of Terrell, Texas; five grandchildren, Jennifer Kragh and her husband, Jeff, of Oklahoma City, Robert Driskill, of Yukon, Clint Driskill and his wife, Leah of Edmond, Melissa Smith, of Arlington, Virginia, and Jason Smith, of Virginia; and five great grandchildren, Payton Bell, Ezendia Driskill, Cooper Driskill, Stevie-Grace Driskill and Tucker Driskill.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Myrtle Smith; daughter-in-law, Shirley Smith; son-in-law, Herb Driskell; and brother-in-law, Dr. Harold Henderson.