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© Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home
Submitted by: T.D.
America lost a member of its greatest generation on February 10. 2011. M.G. Smith devoted husband, father, veteran, educator and dear friend died at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Plano, Texas surrounded by his loving family.
M.G was born on July 10, 1924 in Cameron, Oklahoma to Gus and Mary (Musteen) Smith. He was the youngest of 6 children all of whom have preceded him in death. He grew up in Poteau, Oklahoma and was educated in Poteau Public Schools. WWII had begun in his early high school years, and his greatest desire was to serve his country. He left high school after his Jr. year and joined the army after jump school in Ft. Bening, Georgia he joined the 82nd Airborne Division. He was actually one inch too tall to be a paratrooper but slumped down in order to be accepted. After seeing action in Italy, he jumped in Normandy and helped to liberate France. During the battle of the Bulge, he developed frozen feet and spent four months in the hospital in England. After his discharge from the service in 1945, M.G. was granted a diploma and enrolled at Oklahoma State University. He later transferred to Poteau Jr. College and received his B.A. from Northeastern State University. He also holds a Master degree in public School Administration from the University of Oklahoma and completed the course for a doctorate in education. M.G. has been a significant influence to education, in both public schools and higher education. He was a teacher and coach at Clayton and Poteau High School’s. He then served as superintendent of schools in Quinton, Hobart and Poteau Oklahoma and president of Poteau Jr. College-now Carl Albert State College. He concluded his 41 year career in education as Vice-President of Southeastern State University in Durant, Oklahoma.
M.G married the love of his life Doris Anderson on December 21, 1949 at the First Baptist Church in Clayton, Oklahoma. They recently celebrated 62 years of marriage; she survives him at the home. He has two daughters Mignon Caudle and husband Jim of Durant, Oklahoma and Alison Lane and husband Scott of Plano, Texas.
M.G. was a member of the First Baptist Church in Durant, Oklahoma, where he served as a Deacon; He was also a 32 degree Mason, Past member of the board of directors of the Oklahoma Education Association and a former member of the governing body of the Southern Regional Education Agency. He was inducted into the Poteau athletics Hall of Fame in 1995 and received the distinguished Alumni Award at Carl Albert State in 2000.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday February 14, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Durant, Oklahoma. Interment will follow in the Highland Cemetery in Durant, Oklahoma, with Bro. Don Hazell and James Robinson officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Gene Robbins, Wayne Cobb, Duane Meredith, John Weder, Phil Dunham, Mike Dills, Paul Wiley, Clyde Smith and David Hughes. His coffee drinking buddies will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
Family hour will be Sunday February 13, 2011 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Services are under the Direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home, Durant, Oklahoma To Convey condolences or sign online registry please visit www.holmescoffeymurray.com.
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