Warren O. Smith Jr.

Warren was born November 23, 1940, the son of Olan and Lucille Smith. In his early years, his family lived in South Hamilton, where he worked some summers picking beans on a local farm. His family also lived a couple of winters in Clearwater, FL, where as a 12 year old, Warren worked setting pins at a local bowling alley.

In 1959, Warren began his career at Norwich Pharmacal, later Procter & Gamble, starting out as a Tech Trainee, a career which lasted for 43 years, until his retirement as a Senior Scientist in 2002. In the early 1970s, he attended the Utica College of Syracuse University, where he received his ACS Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.

In addition to his career at Norwich Pharmacal, Warren owned and operated Chenango Taxidermy Studio in Preston with his wife, Ruth. Warren found great enjoyment in deer, turkey, and duck hunting, as well as fishing. He was a board member of the Chenango County Federation of Sportsmen, a member of the Friends of the NRA, Ducks Unlimited, and the Oxford Rod & Gun Club. He spent many years volunteering at the conservation booth at the Chenango County Fair, where he also had the opportunity to showcase his taxidermy work.

In addition to hunting and fishing, Warren also spent his leisure time playing on the Norwich Pharmacal softball, basketball, bowling, and golfing teams. He was a member of the Blue Stone, & Knickerbocker Golf Courses, and the Lake Ludlow Sportsman Club. He also served as a member of the Preston Fire Department Board of Commissioners.

Warren was a member of the Preston United Methodist Church, where he participated in the monthly Bible Challenge, and would volunteer his time to drive elderly fellow parishioners to Sunday services.

Above all else, the greatest love in Warren’s life was his family (including his dogs); they will miss him dearly.

Warren is survived by his loving spouse, Ruth (Turrell) Smith; his children, Robyn (Mike) Fleming, Sean (Katie) Smith, and Jeremy Smith (Annie Jones); his grandson, Michael Cola; and his siblings, Pat (Tom) Curtis, Barb Kasin, and Don (Cathy) Smith.

A memorial service for Warren will be held at a later date and time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Warren’s memory may be made to the Preston United Methodist Church, 1469 County Rd. 18, Oxford, NY, 13830; the Preston Fire Department, 124 County Rd. 19, Oxford, NY, 13830; or the Chenango County 4-H shooting sports project (c/o Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County, 99 N. Broad St., Norwich, NY, 13815).