Paul Dean Smith

Paul Dean Smith was born April 22, 1923, in Wagoner, and was the ninth born of 11 children to Alex and Florence Smith. He departed this life Sept. 23, 2021, in Sapulpa at the age of 98.

Paul lived his early years of life in Rifle, Colorado where his father pastored a church. He entered the army in March of 1943; serving in England, France and Germany and was among the first U.S. troops into Berlin.

Paul Smith and Betty Matthews were united in marriage in 1951. They enjoyed 44 years together before her passing March 21, 2005.

After the war, he applied for the Tulsa Police Department, completing the Police Academy in 1953 and served in the patrol and detective divisions. He and his family moved to Locust Grove in 1975. Paul was elected as Mayes County Sheriff in 1979.

He was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church, of Bristow. He was also a member of Post 3656 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a former member of the Bristow Lions Club as well as a 32nd Degree Mason.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, wife, son, Jimmy M. Smith; five brothers, Jim William Smith, Donald A. Smith, Joseph D. Smith, Charles Smith, and Jack D. Smith; five sisters, Irma Estey, Virginia Hutchinson, Gertrude Clift, Ollie M. Yetter and Shirley Ann Wilson.

He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral services are 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, at Hutchins-Maples Matherly Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Bristow City Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hutchinsmaplesfuneralhome.com.