OK Obits

© Parks Brothers Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Kenneth Michael “Kenny” Smith

January 30, 1966 ~ November 29, 2025

Chandler-
Kenneth “Kenny” Michael Smith, age 59, passed away on November 29, 2025, in Stroud, Oklahoma. He was born on January 30, 1966, in Midwest City, Oklahoma, to Carl Dean and Linda Carol (Kelso) Smith. Kenny grew up in Midwest City and attended Midwest City High School, where he began building the strong work ethic and quiet resilience that would define his life.

On February 11, 1993, Kenny married the love of his life, Diane Carol James. Together they built a life filled with laughter, devotion, and unwavering commitment to their family.

Kenny lived a life of service. He dedicated more than 15 years to the Sparks Fire Department, serving in many roles, including Assistant Fire Chief. He was a true pillar of the department—steadfast, dependable, and always the one you could count on when the bell rang. His fellow firefighters knew him as a man who showed up, stood firm, and put others first every single time.

In addition to his fire service, Kenny served the people of Lincoln County as a jailor for the Lincoln County Jail for over 18 years until his retirement. He approached his work with integrity, professionalism, and the same quiet strength that he brought to every aspect of his life.

Kenny was known for his dry sense of humor—so dry, in fact, that it could leave you wondering whether he was joking until the last moment. He loved a good “Dad Joke” and could tell the most ridiculous story without ever cracking a smile. His family and friends will forever cherish the laughter he brought into their lives. And yes, the man truly did enjoy peanut butter and bologna sandwiches—a fact that will be fondly remembered.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Kent Smith.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Diane Carol Smith; his children, Terry Ray James, Kenneth Michael Smith II, Carry Morrels, Angel Marie Tahkofper, and Whittney Gayle Jones; eleven grandchildren; and a host of family members, friends, and fellow first responders who were honored to share life with him.

Kenny will be remembered for his service, his humor, his quiet intelligence, and the deep love he held for his family. His legacy of dedication and compassion will live on in all who knew him.

|OK Obits|  |Oklahoma Cemeteries Home|

This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
All rights reserved! Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited!
© 2000-2025 Oklahoma Cemeteries

The information on this site is provided free for the purpose of researching your genealogy. This material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for your own research, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The information contained in this site may not be copied to any other site without written "snail-mail" permission. If you wish to have a copy of a donor's material, you must have their permission. All information found on these pages is under copyright of Oklahoma Cemeteries. This is to protect any and all information donated. The original submitter or source of the information will retain their copyright. Unless otherwise stated, any donated material is given to Oklahoma Cemeteries to make it available online. This material will always be available at no cost, it will always remain free to the researcher.