Darrell Gene Smith, age 74, of Roland, Oklahoma, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Darrell is survived by his three children, Darla Jill Smith-Riggs, Sherri Marie Pridemore, and Michael Olson, as well as eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on December 3,1949. He attended Northside High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas and joined the US Navy in 1966. He served on the following 7 ships during his 26 year Naval career: USS Constellation CV 64, USS Cushing DD 985, USS Howard W Gilmore AS 16, USS Jason AR 8, USS Orion AS 18, USS Paul Revere LPA 248, USS Pledge MSO 492. He retired from service in April 1992 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a Command Senior Chief Petty Officer. Darrell spent the last 25 years of his life rescuing dogs and was fostering 10 dogs at the time of his passing.
Darrell’s recent Facebook post said “If you don’t hear from me, I don’t want any flowers. Just have a drink for me.”
There will be a graveside service at the Fort Smith National Cemetery on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 10:00 am.