ROGERS — Donald Ray Smittle

was born April 17, 1931, in Heavener, Okla., to Nettie Teeter Smittle and Harry Smittle. In 1951, during the Korean War, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Stationed at Kirtland Air Base near Albuquerque, he met his soul mate and wife of 67 years, Patricia. The two loves of his life were his wife and his daughter, Karen Smittle, whom he adored.

Don loved his Monday morning coffee meeting with other Daisy retirees and purely hated that COVID had ended them. He laughed at the new idea of home delivered groceries, said he delivered groceries and feed to people around Heavener from the family grocery, using his dad’s old pickup when he was 14 years old.

Don was an O.U. grad and Oklahoma CPA. He went to work for Peat, Maverick, Mitchell, of Tulsa upon graduation. It was there he worked with both Frank Tarr and James Moody. When threatened with a transfer to Chicago, at the urging of his old teammates, he agreed to move to Rogers, a small town of about 7,000 people.

He joined C.U.M.C in the early sixties and was a faithful follower until the end.

Surviving Don besides his wife, Pat; and daughter, Karen; are two nephews: Kevin Smittle of Pocola, Okla., and Paul Smittle of Dallas, Texas; two nieces: Sherry Gean and Shelly Kuykendall, both of Sallisaw, Okla.

He was truly one of the good guys, best husband, best dad, and best friend.

Don was pronounced D.O.A at Mercy, January 19, 2022, p.m. He had plans in place to be cremated and entered at Central United Methodist Church. No services are planned at this time.

Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th St., Rogers. Online condolences to: www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.