Gilbert Anthony Smith
Gilbert Anthony Smith, 71, died in his home in Garfield, at the age of 71 years and 2 months, on April 27, 2023, holding the hands of his two children. He was born Feb. 27, 1952, in Dallas, Texas, to Homer Warren “Bill” Smith and Dorothy Ann McConnell Smith.
He was named for his maternal grandfather, Gilbert “Judge” McConnell. Gib grew up in Tulsa, Okla., and entered a nearly two-decade career in law enforcement, first as an officer in Glenpool, Okla., and then as a deputy sheriff for Tulsa County. He moved with his wife and two sons to Arkansas in 1988 to take a job with the Springdale Police Department, and received the Silver Star for Bravery in the line of duty while with the SPD.
Gib enjoyed the outdoors — camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, gardening — and also enjoyed woodworking, photography, traveling, being around animals and family gatherings. His last major woodworking project was a bookcase for his two grandsons. A man of deep faith, Gib was a member of and deacon at Robinson Avenue Church of Christ in Springdale for more than 20 years, and later a member of the Garfield Church of Christ until his death.
He is remembered and loved by people as far away as Ukraine and Trinidad abroad, and Idaho and Florida at home.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors are two sons and daughters-in-law, Zachary and Margaret Smith of Omaha, Neb., and Jesse Smith and Ashley Crawford of Garfield; two grandsons, Ezekiel and Ezra Smith of Omaha; his ex-wife, Teresa Cline Smith of Springdale; three brothers and sistersin-law, Larry and Cindy Smith of Tulsa, Okla., Jack and Anita Smith of Bixby, Okla., and Jim and Sandy Smith of Spring, Texas; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 6, in Garfield Church of Christ, 17320 Marshall St. Garfield.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Wounded Warrior Project, woundedwarriorproject.org/donate 855-448-3997.
Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.