Edward Allan Smith

Edward Allan Smith, 79, of Muskogee was born March 18, 1934 in Proctor, TX to Ponnie Edward and Pearl (Brinson) Smith. He passed away on May 29, 2013 at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, OK. When you met him, he would tell you, “I’m not Mr. Smith, call me Ed.” Ed attended Proctor schools and graduated high school in Comanche, TX in 1952, and attended Central State University in Edmond, OK. He moved to Pennsylvania where he worked at Christy Packs Steel Mill McKeesport, PA. While in Pennsylvania, he met (Faith) Marlene Geary, the love of his life. They were married in Weatherford, TX in 1957 and celebrated 56 years of marriage this year. Ed served his country in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958, stationed at Ft. Bliss, TX and Friedberg, Germany. After his discharge, he embarked upon what would become his life career in the telecommunications industry. He was a foreman for Stromberg-Carlson Telephone Company and traveled across the country installing central office equipment for independent telephone companies. In 1960, Ed established a permanent home for his family in Kingfisher, OK when he accepted employment with Pioneer Telephone Co-op. When the demand for his skills by other companies in Oklahoma and surrounding states exceeded the amount of time he could spend with them, he resigned from Pioneer and established his own company, Telephone Services, Inc. The family moved to Muskogee in 1967 when Marlene secured a teaching position at Bacone College, and he continued his business of bringing telephone services to rural communities in 7 surrounding states. In 1976, he sold his business and accepted employment as General Manager of Cross Telephone Company in Warner, OK, where he retired after 27 years. One of Ed’s great enjoyments in life was assisting his wife and three surviving children attain advanced educational degrees. He valued higher education, insisting that his daughters take the same rigorous math and science classes that were generally reserved for boys during those times. He continued to nurture and guide the next generation, instilling his values into his grandchildren whom he loved dearly, each in their own special way. He loved to experience new cultures and environments through travel. He particularly enjoyed the outdoors during the years he was physical able to hunt, canoe, ride motorcycles, camp and to boat at area lakes with his family. He loved road trips, and took many driving vacations to the Northwest (especially during cherry harvest), to the Southwest, the Rocky Mountain west, and to visit relatives in Texas and Pennsylvania. He took pleasure in treating multiple generations of his family as fellow travelers with him on these adventures, creating lasting memories for generations. His expertise in the telephone industry was widely known. His foresight recognizing the trends from analog to digital fiberoptic technology landed him on the cover of Telephony magazine! Ed was inducted into the Oklahoma Telephone Hall of Fame in 2004 in recognition of his great achievements in the industry. Additionally, Ed was recently recognized as a 50-year member of the Kingfisher Masonic Lodge #52. Preceding Ed in death are his parents, Ponnie and Pearl Smith; son, Gregory Edward; sister, Pauline Hunter; brother, J.C. Smith, and beloved grandson, Jared Edward Lybarger. Edward is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Marlene; daughter, Susan and son-in-law, Patrick Lybarger; daughter, Saundra and son-in-law, David Moore; son, Bret Allan Smith; beloved grandchildren, Aaron Lybarger and his fiancé, Robyn Strong, Dylan Moore and wife, Ahniwake, Emma Moore, Chloe Moore, Elizabeth Smith, Leah Smith, and great grandson, A.J. Moore, all within the greater Muskogee area. He is also survived by his eldest sister, Eunice Harbin of North Richland Hills, TX, and Juanita Erwin and her husband, Troy of Stephenville, TX nieces; nephews, cousins and countless special friends, all of whom adored him and will miss him dearly.

Edward Allan Smith

March 18, 1934 - May 29, 2013