Smith, Joseph Haskin 88 of Moore went to be with his savior on January 12, 2009. He was born in Holdenville, OK on June 13, 1920 to William A. Smith and Nell Katherine Ball-Smith. He was known as 'Jumping Joe' on Holdenville's football team.
He entered the Army in 1938 at the age of 17. He served in WWII in Africa, Italy and France. He achieved the rank of Sargent at least 3 times during his tour of duty at which time he began his professional boxing career. He never lost a fair fight. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army in 1945, he began his civil service career at Tinker AFB where he became a foreman and section chief until he retired in 1970 after 25 years of service.
After retiring from civil service he began his own carpentry business, learning his trade from his mother. He was an active carpenter until the age of 87.
While in the military service he married Ruth Katherine Nelson of Utica, Nebraska.
He is survived by his two daughters Vicky Windsor and Sherri Gray, both of Edmond and their husbands Brad Windsor and Tom Gray; two grandchildren Tara Childers of Moore and Corey Marouff of Rapid City, South Dakota; two great grand children Chase and Camryn Childers; his brother Robert Steen Smith of Tulsa, OK; step grandchildren Brett and Mailey; step great grandchildren Callie, Madelyn and Jacob; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and a few great great nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held 10 AM, Thursday, January 15, 2009 at Douglas Blvd United Methodist Church in Midwest City with interment at 2 PM at Holdenville Cemetery, Holdenville, OK.
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations be made to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation or Metro Technology Centers Foundation.
