Merle Vernon Smith, a former Henryetta resident, died April 20, 2022 in Bartlesville at the age of 84. He was born April 4, 1938, in Linsborg, Kansas and grew up in Little River, Kansas, where he attended school.
He enlisted in the navy, doing his basic training in San Diego serving from Oct. 30, 1960, to Oct. 21, 1964, on the aircraft carrier Bon Homme Richard that was stationed in Hong Kong, Okinawa, Japan. He moved to Henryetta after his discharge. He helped build Interstate 40 and the Indian Nation Turnpike. He married Brenda, and they married Oct. 2, 1965. He graduated from Okmulgee Tech in August 1967 and went to work for Phillips in Bartlesville for 29 years as a Senior Electronics Instrument Technician. He retired Nov. 7, 1995. In December of 1996 he began working for Heartland Cement in Independence, KS as an Instrument and Electronics Supervisor, retiring Feb. 29, 2000.
He was a proud member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie 10 from 1983 to present. He was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda; daughter Kim Taddeo and husband Steve; son James Smith; sisters and brothers-in-law Patricia Mitchell of Winston-Salem, NC, Carol and Larry Pulliam of Ardmore, David Parker of Oologah-Claremore, Jan Nell and Dennis Johnson of Henryetta, and Francis Loder of Tulsa; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Pauline Smith; sister Coralie Loder; in-laws that adored him Horace and Juanita Parker; and his brother-in-law Sam Parker.
Memorials may be given in his name to the SPCA in Bartlesville or to the Animal Rescue Foundation (A. R. F.).
Funeral Services will be held Monday, April 25, 10 a.m. at the Arnold Moore and Neekamp Chapel in Bartlesville followed by interment in the Westlawn Cemetery in Henryetta at 2 p.m.
Services have been entrusted to Arnold Moore and Neekamp Funeral Home.