Anthony Kevin Smith

following complications related to an undiagnosed heart condition. Anthony was born in

Plattsburg, Missouri, to Virginia and Ernest Smith of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, on May

13, 1957. Anthony graduated from Excelsior Springs High School in 1975 where he

was an all-star athlete in numerous sports and received countless awards for his

outstanding athletic achievements, primarily in basketball and golf. In 1980, Anthony

graduated with honors from Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri,

where he was a stellar collegiate athlete and was awarded numerous accolades for his

stand-out achievements. After college Anthony pursued a career in secondary

education and was a beloved high school teacher and varsity basketball coach.

Anthony transferred to teaching and coaching at the University of Missouri and then to

West Texas State University. In addition to varsity basketball, Anthony masterfully

coached volleyball, men’s cross-country, and women and men’s track and field. At the

academic institutions where Anthony dedicated innumerable amounts of time, he has

been described as arguably the most influential and respected teacher and coach

during his decades of professional education service. Following his teaching and

coaching career, Anthony had a phenomenally successful and longstanding career with

the Nike Company and later with BSN Sports, where he continued to work until his

death. Anthony was a long-standing season ticket holder for the Kansas City Chief’s.

His love and enthusiasm for the Kansas City Chiefs, pre-dated all three of their Super

Bowl championships, and also pre-dated the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce phenomenon that

he described as “utter nonsense.” For decades, Anthony faithfully made the long drive

to Kansas City every weekend that the Chiefs had a home game, to pick up his father,

Ernest, so they could attend the games together, until 2023, when Ernest passed.

Anthony had an undeniable close and special relationship with his Dad, and it is

comforting to know they are now reunited in heaven.

In 2005, Anthony married his beautiful wife, Jeniffer Lynn Farmer and they became a

fun-loving, blended family of four with their children: Michael, Daniel, McKenna, and

Kennedy.

Anthony is survived by his loving wife, Jeniffer, their children, and his daughter-in-law,

Shannon Smith, and his six grandchildren: Prentice Smith, Reign Smith, Memphis

Smith, Kobi Thomas, Oaklynn Thomas, and Hemi Thomas. He is also survived by his

sister, Sheila; and his mother-in-law, Alwilda A. Farmer and Bob Stahlheber, father-inlaw,

Billy (Bill) Farmer; and sisters-in-law, Tammi Douglas (John), and Julie Byrd

(Thomas), and brother-in-law, Jason Farmer (Julie); as well as, numerous nieces,

nephews, and other extended family. Anthony was preceded in death by this parents,

Virginia Smith (2013) and Ernest Smith (2023).

Funeral services for Anthony Kevin Smith will be at 2:00p.m. on Thursday, July 25,

2024, Sunny Lane Funeral Home, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, Oklahoma. 73115, with

burial services to follow immediately thereafter at Sunny Lane Cemetery. Visitation and

viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, between 4:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. also at

Sunny Lane Funeral.

Serving as pallbearers are Jack Talley, Bubba Williams, Terry Moffett, Steve Easterling, Rusty Zumwalt, Jimmie Brownell, Chris Crawford and Bob Knoll.

Mrs. Jeniffer Smith would like to extend an invitation for friends and family to join her following the funeral at Anthony and Jeniffer’s home (8901 Woodbriar Circle, MWC, 73110) for light snacks and beverages, as they share memories to celebrate the amazing life of her unforgettable husband, Anthony.