Benjamin Carl Smith

Benjamin Carl Smith was born February 14, 1943 to Julius and Emma (Rushing) Smith in Anadarko, OK. As a child growing up with 18 brothers and sisters, who all called him "Carl", they had lots of fun climbing trees and playing with their homemade toys on the farm. Carl loved to follow his father around the farm and helped when he could, when he wasn't helping his Dad, Carl loved riding horses, which he did often. Carl attended school in Verden and Anadarko, OK. Where he excelled at football in Anadarko and in fact while in high school, he was good enough for the University of Oklahoma to recruit him to play for the Sooners, but he was very much in love with Mary Reyes his soon to be wife.
Carl enlisted in the Army in March of 1960. He trained at Ft. Leonardwood, MO and was honorably discharge with the rank of Private.
Carl came home and married Mary Reyes on June 24, 1961, and they had 4 children, Benny, Sylvia, Mary and Teresa. They lived in Gracemont a short while before moving to Oklahoma City, OK. While living in Oklahoma City, Carl worked for Beeman Foundry for several years, one of his accomplishments that he was most proud of while working for the foundry was the creation of the Will Rogers Airport Entrance sign, which is still standing to this day.
Carl started working for Leeway trucking in 1971, he decided at this time he wanted to be called Ben. Ben came to love driving a semi-truck and spent many years behind the wheel.
In May 1974, Ben married Gloria "Jean" Smith and had one son, Troy. They lived in Oklahoma City area for over 20 years. Ben had a passion for country dancing and was a great two stepper. This was one thing Ben did often was to go dancing.
Ben spent several years behind the wheel and worked for several trucking companies. The last one he worked for was Roadway Express, where he earned the 1 Million Mile Safety Award with no accidents, for this he received an award. If you know anything about trucking this is a significant milestone that he accomplished and he was very proud of it.
Due to his failing health, Ben was forced to retire from driving, but that didn't stop him. During his retirement, he spent a lot of time going around and visiting with his family and helping others. You could always see a camera in Ben's hand taking pictures of his kids, grandkids, brothers & sisters and a ton of relatives. He adored his family and all his children and was very proud of their accomplishments.
Ben has been a resident of Marlow for the last several years and really liked the little town. Ben always said he would be with his parents and all his siblings in Heaven one day.
He is preceded in death by his Parents, Julius and Emma Louise Smith; 3 Sisters Dorothy Carter-Nichols, Eva Hendricks-Dorman, Helen Jo Hicks; 8 Brothers, Billie Howard Smith, George Earl Smith, Cleo Nathaniel Smith, Bobbie Smith, Julius D. Smith, Lawrence Smith, Clarence Smith, Kenneth Smith,
Survivors include 2 sons: Benny Smith and wife Jeanette, Chickasha, OK
Troy Smith and wife Anne, Oklahoma City, OK
3 Daughters: Sylvia Turney and husband Ron, Anadarko, OK
Mary Smith, Anadarko, OK
Teresa Green and husband Don, Oklahoma City, OK
Brothers: Randolph Smith, Oklahoma City, OK
Bill Smith of Bakersfield, CA
Sisters: Margie Klusmeyer and husband Bob, Wichita Falls, TX
Freedia Blevins-McHorse, Midwest City, OK
Stella Birch-Richardson and husband Johnnie, Ada, OK
Sue Nell Smith-Vann, Midwest City, OK
Thaylia Darlene Casteel Marlow, OK

16 Grandchildren
22 Great-grandchildren
Many nieces and nephews that he loved very much!

Funeral Service: 11:00 am Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Virginia Avenue Baptist Church, Anadarko, OK

The family will receive guests at Ray and Martha's Funeral home from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Monday, April 24, 2017.