June Raymond "J.R." Smith 98 of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma entered into his Heavenly Father's presence on Friday, January 26, 2018 surrounded by his family at Windsor Place in Coffeyville, Kansas.
J.R. was born on June 19, 1919 in Elgin, Kansas to Lloyd and Nora Jane (McGee) Smith. J.R. was one of ten children. His family moved from Elgin to Nowata, Oklahoma where they lived in the surrounding area and he attended school in Nowata. He joined the US Army in 1941, along with his brother J.T and a cousin and they were all stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. He was discharged in 1944 and returned to the Nowata area where he married Helen Grant. To this union were born three children, Marjorie Lee, James Edward, and Rayetta Jean. He worked in the oil fields in West Texas and Oklahoma. The couple later divorced.
On August 15, 1959 he married Phyllis Noah Howard in the First Southern Baptist Church in Coffeyville and they lived on an oil lease where he was self-employed for 32 years before moving into South Coffeyville in 1991.
He joined the Baptist Church in Nowata at a young age and was a member of the Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church in Coffeyville since 1982.
He was an avid card player all his life and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was a member of the Circle C Saddle Club for several years and also the Honeybee Camping Group, of which he served time being presidents of both clubs. After he retired he volunteered to serve Meals on Wheels and also with the CRMC Auxiliary.
J.R. is survived by his wife, Phyllis of the home, a daughter Marjorie Malone of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, a step-son Harry M. Howard (Carolyn) of South Coffeyville, a brother Bill Smith of Delaware, Oklahoma, a sister Phyllis Pryor of Grove, Oklahoma, grandchildren Jim (Kim) Malone of The Colony, Texas, Jon (Jennifer) Malone of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kristie (Ken) Blagg, Tim (Sharla)Howard all of Coffeyville, eleven great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two children, four brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services honoring J.R.'s life will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 1:00 pm at the Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church, 416 W. 2nd, Coffeyville, Kansas, with Pastor John Dixon officiating. Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 from 5 to 7 pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville. The family has suggested memorials be payable to Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, contributions may be left in care of the chapel. To leave the family a message of condolence visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com .
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