Richard Eugene Smith Jr.

Richard E. Smith Jr. passed from this life on December 9, 2025, at home in Lone Wolf at age 77. He was born on August 24, 1948, to Richard E. Smith Sr. and Dorothy Lee (Best) Smith. He spent his early childhood years in Claremore enjoying his summers riding his bicycle with his buddies to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and climbing and sitting for hours on the statue of Will Rogers horse, “Soapsuds”. The family moved to Healdton where he finished out his school years, graduating from Healdton High School. He lettered in football, track and won competitions for bass singing. After graduating he began his fifty-six-year career in the funeral industry, starting at OCU and finishing at Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. He owned and operated Smith Funeral Home in Tishomingo, served on multiple boards: Landrum Bank, Petite Jean Christian Camp, president of the Lions Club (he always said he has cooked thousands of pancakes), he also served two consecutive terms as President of the Oklahoma Funeral Board and remained a board member until 1988, when he sold to Harvey Douglas Funeral Home. Richard and his family moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where they owned and operated The Border House Lodging, downtown luxury suites and The Cherokee Store. Richard was an enrolled citizen and lifelong supporter of The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He encouraged all Natives in their artistry, regardless of the tribe, and carried their products in The Cherokee Store where he earned the nick name “Slow Turtle”. The family moved to Searcy, Arkansas so the girls could attend Harding University. Richard returned to the funeral business and began work at Powell Funeral Home in Searcy. He would go on to manage Grand Lake Funeral Homes and served the last ten years of his career with Peoples Funeral Home and the concept of providing excellent funeral service and product at half the cost. Richard was a generous man, was long time member of the Church of Christ, had an incredible sense of humor and always wanted the best for his family. In his early years, he made stained glass panels and went hunting in Colorado. He liked to fish, was an avid OU and Arkansas Razorback fan, loved grape jelly, catfish, and skiing. Richard is survived by his wife of 40 years, Essie of the home, three daughters, Malissa Payne and husband Ken, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Katie Henshaw and husband Pete and Eugenia Smith, both of Tahlequah, sibling’s Tammy Smith and wife Julia of Napa Valley, California, Sioux Greninger, of Miami, Rick Smith and wife Kim of Claremore. Richard leaves a legacy of six grandchildren Logan Davis (Roper) from Gentry, Arkansas, Julius Easter, Daleigh Fields, Tuff Fields, Joyce Anna and Richard Wade Daniels, all from Tahlequah. Sister in laws, Lynette Burton, Brenda Lett, both of Ravia and Rosie Duke and husband Jimmy of Gunbarrel, Texas and brother-in-law, David Burton and wife Penny also of Ravia. Richard is also survived by nephews, nieces, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Sr. and Dorothy, his sister Teresa, stepmother Deana Smith, uncles Don Smith and Lear Best, aunts Katie, Ruthie, Ellen, Naomi, and his father and mother-in-law, Bo and Zelma Burton. Public viewing for Richard will begin Saturday, December 13, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., with family present to receive friends between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M., Peoples Funeral Home, located at 1400 West Main, Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, 580-846-9018. Online condolences for Richard can be made by visiting www.peoplescooperativefuneralhome.com Memorials in Richards name can be made to Southeastern Grasslands Institute: Tribal Program Restoration of the Trail of Tears. P.O. Box 4394, Clarksville, Tennessee, 37044. To read more about Southeastern Grasslands Institute visit www.segrasslands.org The Lone Wolf Church of Christ. The Cherokee Nation (Elder Care Program) 17675 S. Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah, OK 74464.

Richard Eugene Smith Jr.

August 24, 1948 - December 9, 2025

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Richard Eugene Smith Jr.

August 24, 1948 - December 9, 2025

365 Days of Grief Support

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