Sunday, May 25th, 1924 - Sunday, February 25th, 2024
Funeral services for Kenneth Vernon Smith, 99, of Enid, will be 2:00 pm, Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at Oakwood Christian Church with Pastor Alan Seibel officiating. Burial with Military Honors provided by the United States Army Honors Team, will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory.
Kenneth was born May 25, 1924, in Durham, Kansas, to Jacob and Lydia (Koehn) Smith, and passed away Sunday, February 25, 2024, at The Commins, United Methodist Home in Enid.
Kenneth was raised on farms near Meno, OK. In 1943 at the age of 18, Kenneth enlisted in the US Army and served in an anti-aircraft artillery unit, fighting on Luzon Island, Philippines. After the war, he attended Oklahoma State A & M at Okmulgee studying building houses.
On May 2, 1947, Kenneth married Bernadine Mae Wagoner at The Mission House, in Enid.
From 1948 to 1956, Kenneth worked for Long Bell Lumber Co., where he learned to build cabinets. From 1956 to 1961, he lived and farmed in Coyle, Oklahoma, and built houses in Stillwater. From 1961 to 1968, he farmed in Fairmont, and worked for Lee Unruh building houses. From 1968 to 1986, he founded and ran the Smith Construction Co. From 1986 to 2004, Kenneth was a master carpenter for Edgewood Arms, Winchester West, and Indian Oaks apartments. Kenneth’s handiwork can be seen in the cabinetry throughout Oakwood Christian Church to this day.
In his post home building years Kenneth made various pieces of furniture and craft items. He made a rolltop desk, and a very nice China cabinet. He made wooden bowls using a wood lathe, and decorative shelves for displaying glass figurines and many other household items.
Kenneth is survived by seven children: Kenneth Smith, Jr., and wife Ruth, of Piedmont, OK; Judy Henderson and husband Eldon, of Enid; Sherrie Reed of Enid; Gayla Hopkins of Enid; Troy Smith and wife Michelle, of Enid; Deanie Jaggers and husband Matt, of Tompsons Station, TN; and Terry Smith and wife Patty, of Johnstown, CO; as well as a multitude of grand, great-grand, and great-great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Lydia, and wife Bernadine.
Memorial contributions in Kenneth’s name may be made to Oakwood Christian Church with Ladusau-Evans serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
A United Methodist Retirement Community
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