Everett Leroy Smith Sr. passed away surrounded by the family that loved him and that he loved at the age of 81, in his home in Coffeyville, Kansas.
Everett was one of 8 children, and was born on April 11, 1942, in Coffeyville to Edgar and Merriam (Shamblin) Smith. He grew up in Coffeyville, attending school here and completing his education.
Everett was self-employed and enjoyed his construction work and especially enjoyed being an arborist. He took great pride in his work and enjoyed what he did.
When time and his health allowed, he enjoyed fishing and coon hunting. He also enjoyed raising his coon dogs and always had a terrier as his side kick. Everett’s favorite pass time was traveling with his wife, Betty Lou (Scott) of 40 years. Together they visited every state but Hawaii because that involved traveling by air or boat and that just wasn’t going to happen. He flew once and that was all he wanted and vowed he would never do it again. Colorado was his absolute favorite place to visit, he would have moved there if the opportunity had presented itself. Like the John Denver song, Colorado offered “Rocky Mountain High”.
Everett loved to play as hard as he worked, in addition to traveling, he enjoyed family gathering and spending time with his family. Those who knew him best knew that he was a self-determined, driven individual. His philosophy was “Why put off it off to tomorrow, what you can do today.”
Everett’s legacy will live on through his wife, Betty of the home; his four children from a previous marriage, Joyce Vaughn and husband Rocky, Anna Mora and husband Curtis, Leroy Smith and wife Dana, Randy Smith and wife Valorie, Vickie Dick, and husband Larry; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren; three brothers, Eldon Smith, Ivan Smith and wife Ruth, Ronnie Smith; and one sister Sharon Gillman and husband Matt. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Edgar Smith Jr., Donald “Duck” Smith, sister Phylis Sisco, grandson Raymond Vaughn Jr., and two great-great grandchildren Alexander Storm and Eli Fowler.
The family will receive friends at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., in Coffeyville on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 6-8pm. At Everetts request cremation has taken place and the family will hold private family services. To leave a message of condolence or share a memory visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com
