Austin L. Smith, age 80, of Pryor, a longtime Craig County Resident died Saturday August 8, 2009 at Mayes County Medical Center in Pryor. He was born February 22, 1929 in Vinita the son of Mac Smith and Nancy (Jones) Smith. He was raised and educated at Carselowey and Ketchum. He Joined the U.S. Army during the occupation of Germany after WW II . This is when he met and later married Eleonore Scherz . After three year hitch with the Army he returned to his family farm located southeast of Vinita. After a two year separation from the service he enlisted into the US. Air Force where he completed twenty years service retiring in 1969. During his time in service he and his family were stationed in Korea, Japan, Mississippi, Enid and California. After his retirement they returned to the Vinita area where he began a second career of twenty years with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. Austin was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church and enjoyed riding horses, and he loved to trade and was known as a master trader and loved spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife Eleonore of the home, three daughters, Nancy and her husband William Sloan of Pryor, OK, Jeanette Miller and husband Marvin of Spokane, WA, Charlotte Sandy Sullivan of Dewey, OK, one brother, Preston Smith and a sister Lois Cobb both of Vinita, eight grand children, and thirteen great grand children. He was preceded in death by one son, Kurt Emmerich Smith, his parents and two brothers. Funeral services will be Wednesday August 12, 2009 at the Otterbein United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Jim Bradford officiating with interment to follow in Carselowey Cemetery under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:00 until 8: 00 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home in Vinita. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.
Service Details
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009 10:00am, Otterbein Methodist Church
Interment Details
Carselowey Cemetery