Richard Smith Jr.

Benjamin Funeral Service - Nowata, Oklahoma - 918-273-2700........................................................... Funeral services for Richard James Smith, Jr. are 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at Benjamin Funeral Service Chapel with Chaplain Dave Talle officiating. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service. Richard James Smith, Jr., 74, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Heartsworth Senior Living in Vinita, Oklahoma. He was born December 27, 1942 in Pineville, Louisiana to Richard James Sr. and Virginia B. (McIntire) Smith. Richard grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana and received much of his education, there. His senior year, the Smith family moved to Connecticut and shortly after graduation Richard joined the U.S. Air Force, and served in Germany during the Vietnam Era. He moved to the Nowata area from Prague, Oklahoma in 1989 and April 14 of that year, married Brenda Hagebusch at Miami, Oklahoma. The couple has made Nowata their home since. Richard started out driving Charter buses to Broadway plays, after his military service and spent the majority of his working years driving trucks. He retired in 1996 as plant operator at the rock crusher. Richard loved fishing and camping and had raised horses while living in southern Oklahoma. He always loved a good joke and was known as a prankster. Richard is survived by his wife Brenda of the home; four children, Sherry Estrada and her husband Elias of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Rick Smith and his wife Yvonne of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Stacy Oakley and her husband Kevin of Vinita, Oklahoma, Scott Stover and his wife Tiffany of Catoosa, Oklahoma; a sister-in-law, Nancy Westfall and her husband Mark of Cleora, Oklahoma; two brothers-in-law, Kenny Hagebusch of Nowata, Oklahoma and Oliver Craig of Norman, Oklahoma, seven grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Virginia; a sister, Billie Ann Craig; a brother-in-law, Bob Hagebusch, Sr., and a niece, Amy Hanigan.

Visitation Details

Monday, September 18th, 2017 12:00pm - 7:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Tuesday, September 19th, 2017 9:00am - 12:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Service Details

Tuesday, September 19th, 2017 2:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home