Houston Smith

Houston Smith was born on August 1st, 1939 in Tahlequah, OK, the son of John Smith and Mary Ann (Chewey) Tucker. There were three brothers and two sisters to keep him company and into mischief, Tommy Lee, Betty Sue, Johnson, Andy, and Lou. Houston was a Cherokee Language First speaker, raised in the proud traditions of the Cherokee people. He graduated from high school and then began his studies at the Haskell Vocational School. Houston decided on a career in the transportation industry as a truck driver and drove cross country since in his early twenties. Houston was the recipient of the “Million Mile Award” twice. On October 1st, 2001, Houston married the love of his life and his best friend, Ruth Lee Kilpatrick. Together they enjoyed twenty years of laughter, love and memories. Any time spent with his family was wonderful for Houston. He kept up with his kids and grandkids sporting events, it didn’t matter to him, he liked any sports in which his family was involved. The family even liked to tease him about watching WWE Friday Nite Smackdown and Monday Nite Raw. Houston loved time spent at home working on his mechanical projects and raising vegetables in the garden. This was usually done in the company of his canine companions, “Doggie” and “Brownie”. They would crank up the tunes and listen to a little Stevie Ray Vaughn, Delbert McClinton or a little country gospel, his favorite. Houston was friendly, loved people, and never met a stranger he wouldn’t help! He couldn’t wait until time to celebrate his birthday, or have a holiday celebration, all his family and friends in one place was paradise. Houston was a Christian that attended the New Mission Baptist Church. He enjoyed any chance to go worship with his friends, sing some country gospel and listen to the gospels. The Lord called Houston home from his many labors on October 30th, 2021 in Tulsa, OK, with his loved ones by his side. He was 82 years old and will never be forgotten.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Samuel Chewey and Annie Youngbird-Wilson, and paternal grandparents, Dave Smith and Louise Turner. He is also preceded by his mom and dad and his brothers and sisters, Tommy lee Smith, Betty Sue Kingfisher and her husband Jack, Johnson Tucker, and Andy Tucker.

Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Ruth Smith of the home in Castle, OK, and his children, Glenda Smith and James Streimel of Claremore, OK, Johnny Lee Smith and wife Arlene of Pryor, OK, Cathy Renee Smith of Pryor, OK, Joy Lynn Smith of Claremore, OK, and his bonus children, John Freidenberger and Connie King of Skiatook, OK, Leslie Slattery and husband Ralph of Ketchican, AK, and Michael Kilpatrick of Los Angeles, CA. He also leaves one sister, Pat (Lou) Reese and husband Joe of Tahlequah, OK, and his sister-in-law, Joann Tucker of Rocky Ford, OK. He lives on in his 13 grandchildren, James, Amanda, Haley, Sean (Max), Jonathan, Brooke, Christopher, Autumn, Blake, Jared, Dusty, Nathan, Kyle, bonus grandchildren, Sarah and Ashlyn, and 22 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Houston Smith will be held on Saturday, November 6th, 2021 at Reed-Culver Chapel with Brother Choogie Kingfisher officiating. The family will receive visitors on Friday, November 5th, 2021 beginning at 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home in Tahlequah, OK. He will be laid to rest at Bill Batt Cemetery with his family. Pallbearers for Houston include Cory Tucker, Adam Reese, Albert Smith, Tim Kingfisher, Billy Blackwell, and Scott Box. His Honorary Pallbearers include his grandsons, James Larsen, Sean Smith, Jonathan Smith, Christopher Smith, Blake Davis, Jared Davis, Dusty Brickey, Nathan Smith, and Kyle Smith. Online condolences may be left at www.reedculver.com.