WALTER SMITH

ADA-Services for George Walter Smith, 89, Ada, are 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Crosspointe Church, Rev. Shawn Wiebers will officiate. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery. The Ft. Sill Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the cemetery. A Wake service will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Criswell Funeral Home.

Mr. Smith died Saturday, November 29, 2008 at an Ardmore Veterans Center. He was born November 26, 1919 near Fittstown, Oklahoma to George and Julia May Barringer Smith. He attended Onward school, Ada High School and graduated from Roswell New Mexico Military Institute in 1939.

He married Jean Owen Dollins in 1970. Mr. Smith and his wife owned and operated the Sportsman Sporting Goods Store here in Ada for 33 years. He was a member of the Crosspointe Church and had a distinguished career with the U. S. Army during World War II in the European Theatre. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army and sent to Fort Knox, KY for Armor Training. He entered active duty October 8, 1941. Brought the 6th Armor Division (known as "Super Six" to Camp Chaffee. He made Captain at the age of 22 years. The 6th Armor landed on Utah Beach for the invasion of Germany in 1944. He made Major at the age of 23 years old and commanded the 69th Armor, 6th Armor Division, General Patton's 3rd Army. Major Smith fought in France and Germany, surpressed Adolf Hitler's winter offensive, entered Bastonage Germany to suppress the German Army that surrounded the 101st Airborne Division. Major Smith captured the town of Frieburg, Germany that was occupied by German Troops, and the rescue of 15,000 civilians. A German Colonel surrendered to the 69th Armor Division. Upon the anniversary of WWII, Major Smith was called to Frieburg, Germany to commemorate the saving of that town. A park is built in Frieburg to remind all that pass. Major Smith's name in engraved in the plaque of the park to honor his name and devotion to duty to save a city from destruction.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Smith, of the home; a son, Thomas L. Smith, Master Sergeant, U. S. Army Retired and wife Ruth, Ada; a daughter, Sheila Smith, Dallas, Texas; a step-daughter, Delaine Battjes, and husband Jim, Austin, TX; a step-son, Jerry Dollins, Graham, TX; three sisters, Frances Holston, Durant, Clara Mae Ward, Dallas, TX, and Alice Warren, Dallas, TX; a brother, Fred Smith, Stringtown; and three grandsons whom he reared and adopted, Heath Smith and wife Pam, Palestine, TX, Derek Smith and wife Laurie, Oklahoma City, and Ian Smith, Oklahoma City and Jason Smith, Albuquerque, NM and Amber McCurdy, Ada; a step-grandson, Stefan Dollins, Grandbury, TX, and Jamie Battjes, Austin, TX; great grandchildren, Ashlee and Travis Smith, and Lillie and Elizabeth Smith, and Hunter Smith.

Bearers will be Thomas L. Smith Master Sergeant, U.S. Army Retired, Elzie Priest, Jack Martin, Michael O'Brien, Marty Byrd, Ken Hancock, Frank Taylor, and Ron Bates. Honorary bearers will be Chuck Wilson and Eddie Woods.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada