Milton Smith

Milton Edward Smith

Milton Edward Smith of Fort Cobb passed away January 13, 2018 at the age of 82. He was born in Fort Cobb April 29, 1935 to Edward Clyde Smith and Jessie Elizabeth (Lisk) Smith. He grew up in Fort Cobb and graduated from Fort Cobb High School in 1953.

He developed a passion early in life for one of his life long vocations as a farmer / rancher. He was awarded the highest national agriculture award, The American Farmer Degree. He also received the Southwest Star Farmer Award. He raised and showed the Grand Champion Steer at the State Fair of Oklahoma in 1954 and the same steer was awarded Champion Shorthorn at the National Western Livestock Show in Denver, Colorado. True to his meticulous attention to detail he won the showmanship award at the National Western Livestock Show.

He married Hazel Horn on December 21, 1956 in Anadarko and they recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.

He owned and operated Milton Smith Bulldozers for over 40 years. He was introduced to the dirt contracting business by his father-in-law Fate Horn. In the early years he worked with his father-in-law and his brothers-in-law Bub, Hillard and Glenn Horn. He attributed the success of his business to his loyal customer base consisting of many area farmers and commercial accounts, for which he was grateful. A real springboard for his success was the commercial projects that he completed for Sequoyah Carpet Mills in Anadarko and Davis, Oklahoma. Following his service on the Board, Caddo Kiowa Career Tech hired him to perform site leveling and dirt work for the construction of several new buildings on the Fort Cobb campus. He recognized that the success of his dozer business was accomplished by the faithful commitment of two key employees, Raymond Clift and Grant Bell. They were two of the best dozer operators in the area. Both preceded Milton in death.

He served on the Caddo Kiowa Career Tech Board in Fort Cobb from 1980-1993 with many of those years being served as President. He was humbled by the Boards election to honor his service by naming a street on the Fort Cobb campus in his name.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Cobb and assured his eternity in heaven by his profession of faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

He is survived by his wife Hazel of the home, two daughters and son's-in-law, Terri and Ronnie Hodges of Fort Cobb, Kay and Richard Ross of Anadarko. His grandchildren Whitney and husband Stephen Welch of Lawton, Jay Milton Ross of Coppell, TX and Richelle and Ron Atkins of Oklahoma City, Great grandchildren Juliette Monroe Welch, Montana Welch and Ayden and Avery Atkins, a brother Don Smith, brother-in-law Hillard Horn, sister-in-law Alita Horn and many nephews, nieces and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife's parents Fate and Annie Horn, brothers-in-law Glen Horn and Bub Horn, sisters-in-law Ailene Smith, Barbara Skipworth, and Nancy Horn.

Graveside services will be conducted at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Fort Cobb 2:00 pm Thursday January 18, 2018, to be officiated by Rev. Todd Pack and Rev. Steve Goodson. The family will receive visitors at Ray and Martha's Funeral Chapel in Anadarko January 17, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Services are under the direction of Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko.