Roger James Smith
April 22, 1955 – December 28, 2021
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news of the passing of our dad. Roger James Smith, 66, of Oklahoma City, OK, passed away on December 28, 2021, at 3 pm, just 3 days shy of his 35th wedding anniversary to his wife, Teresa. Born on April 22, 1955, he was the youngest son of Jack Kyle Smith and Doris Jane (née Gorrell) Smith of Atchison, Kansas. He adored his hometown and all of his family and friends who lived there. He graduated from Atchison High School in 1973, and then went on to move to Oklahoma City to pursue a career in the car business with his brothers. It was in Oklahoma City where he was introduced to his wife, Teresa. They married, moved to San Diego, California, and had their two children, Kylie and Kevin. Roger took his job as a father, like all of his jobs, very seriously. He modeled so many important life skills for us: how to love your family and friends with all you have, do the right thing-especially when nobody else is watching, have fun, love all dogs, and always have a stash of chocolate hidden somewhere. He always made life fun and meaningful for us, and he has left us with a lifetime of precious memories. We are better people because of him.
In his retirement, he was an accomplished napper who loved to putter around his neighborhood in his socks and sandals, talking to his neighbors who always became quick and close friends, and running his leaf blower (particularly before 8 o’clock in the morning on weekends.) If the fact that he could pull that off and still be great friends with all of these neighbors doesn’t convince you that he was incredibly cool, I don’t know what would. In addition to being the kindest and loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, he was the best grandfather in the world to Roman and Jack.
Roger was preceded in death by his father, Jack Kyle Smith, his mother, Doris Jane Smith Guilfoyle, his brother, George Anthony Smith, and his sister, Mary Patricia Tobin. He is survived by his loving wife, Teresa, children Kylie Smith and Kevin Smith, grandsons Roman, and Jack Richardson, brother, and sister-in-law Mike and Barbara Smith, brother and sister-in-law J.D. and Cathy Smith, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
God has blessed us endlessly by giving us life with Roger in it. He is so dearly missed and will never, ever be forgotten.