Zachariah Alan Lightning

Zachariah Alan “Zach” Lightning, Ponca name: Ni Aki BoN Na-meaning, “Run Towards the Water”, 58, longtime resident of Muskogee, passed away Wednesday at his home. Zach was born September 17, 1954 in Pawnee, Oklahoma to Stanley George Smith, Sr. and Jeannette Louise (Mitchell) Smith. Zach attended Muskogee Public Schools and graduated with the Class of 1972. After his graduation from high school, he proudly served his country by joining the United States Marines Corp. On January 25, 1981, Zach married the love of his life, Peggy Ann Bowen in Ponca City, Oklahoma. They made their home in Muskogee for many years. Zach’s occupation most of his life was a boilermaker. He was employed with Union Public Schools and Muskogee Emergency Medical Services. On May 8, 1999, Zach graduated from Northeastern State University with a Bachelor’s Degree of Science and Education. He was a faithful member of Church 4:18. Zachariah was preceded in death by his grandmother, Alice Smith; his grandfather, George Smith; his father, Stanley Smith; a niece, Priscilla Thunder; a brother, David Smith; and his maternal grandparents, Mae and James Mitchell. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Lightning of the home; his daughters, Waleeska Riding-In of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Lizzie Lightning of Oklahoma City, Lillie Lightning of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Amber Butler of Tellico Plains, Tennessee; his granddaughters, Kassie Dawn Duvall of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Lauren Dewar of Bonita Beach, Florida, McKinly, Alexis and Aaliyah Melton all of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Aaliyska Knifechief of Pawnee, Oklahoma; his grandson, Bryan Butler of Tellico Plains, Tennessee; his three great granddaughters, Brooke Bryant of Bonita Beach, Florida, Eloise and Mirabel Duvall of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; his mother, Jeannette Smith of Muskogee, Oklahoma; his sisters, Shawn Long of Muskogee, Oklahoma and Susan Kieger of St. Paul, Minnesota; his brothers, Stanley Smith, Jr. of Ponca City, Oklahoma and Sheldon Smith from Siloam Springs, Arkansas; and many other members of the family. Funeral Services for Zach will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Church 4:18, 2710 S. Cherokee Dr., Muskogee, Oklahoma with Reverend Kevin Jones officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Josh Shiew, Brian Shiew, Hunter Smith, Luke Smith, Damon Smith and Ty Kieger. Interment will follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. with Full Military Honors.

Zachariah Alan Lightning

August 17, 1954 - August 14, 2013