Services for John Wayne Smith, 83, of Ada, are 2:00 PM Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Trinity Baptist Church, Chaplain Sam Garner will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at Criswell Funeral Home.
Mr. Smith passed away Sunday, January 21, 2024 at his home. He was born June 17, 1940 in Hominy, OK to Don and Mittie Waters Smith.
Mr. Smith attended schools at Hominy and Terlton. On September 5, 1960 he married Bytha Elizabeth Harness. He worked at a hotel grocery service in Liberal and a service station in Cleveland, OK. Mr. Smith was a police officer in Cleveland, OK from 1964 to 1966. He completed Highway Patrol training in 1966 and moved to Ada to begin working for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol until his retirement in 1988. After his retirement he began working for the Driver’s License Division and then the Department of Public Service in Ada until 2009.
Mr. Smith enjoyed shooting competitions where he won many awards. He also enjoyed hunting and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Bytha; two sons, Johnny Smith and wife Randi and Jeff Smith and wife Kristi; one daughter, Shari Briggs and husband Bobby; sister, Crystal Hutlas; brother, Raymond Smith; 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents; one great granddaughter, Remy Ralston; siblings, Lavelle Smith, Carl Smith, Charles Smith, Oletta Leonard, Virginia Todd, Warren Smith, Ronald Smith, and Jerry Smith.
Bearers are the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Greatly appreciated family and friends, Marshall, Wayne, Tommie, Gary and Cil, Sandy, Dan, Jan, Sue and Katy.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
