Graveside service for SFC (Retired) Johnnie C. Smith, Sr. will be at 11:00 am Wednesday, August 22, 2018 in the Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin.

Burial with full military honors will be under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

SFC (Retired) Johnnie C. Smith Sr., 84, Lawton, Oklahoma, passed away on Monday, August 13 ^th , 2018 in Lawton.

Johnnie Cloyse Smith, Sr. was born in Longview, Texas to Euel Jackson Smith and Mildred Elizabeth (Wallace) Smith on April 19, 1934.  Johnnie attended high School in Junction, Texas, joined the United Stated Army shortly thereafter and was stationed in Kitzingen, Germany where he met his beautiful wife Magda Marie Ziegler.  Johnnie and Magda married while Johnnie was stationed in Germany and had three children before returning to the U.S where he was then stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas and their fourth child was born.  Johnnie served in the United States Army until February 28, 1975 when he retired after 20 years of Military Service which included two tours in Vietnam.  While serving his country in Vietnam he earned several awards including; (2) National Defense Service Medals, a Vietnam Service medal, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, (2) Bronze Star Medals, (2) Good Conduct Medals, (2) Commendation Medals and (4) Overseas Awards.  Mr. Smith was also a 32 ^nd degree Mason.

Johnnie C. Smith is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Magda Marie Ziegler-Smith, his parents; Euel Jackson Smith Sr. and Mildred Elizabeth (Wallace) Smith and his brothers; Euel Jackson Smith Jr., James Smith and Jesse Douglas Smith.

Mr. Smith was also a direct descendant of Henry Smith (1759 – 4 ^th Great Grandfather) who is a recognized patriot of the Revolutionary War by the National Archives, DAR and SAR.  In addition, Mr. Smith's 6 ^th Great Grandfather Col. John Smith served under the command of George Washington during the French and Indian Wars.

Johnnie C. Smith Sr. is survived by his son Houston C. V. Smith of Alexandria, Virginia, son Johnnie C. Smith Jr. of Oakhurst, California, daughter Christine Elisabeth Smith-Williams of Laguna Niguel, California, Glenda Marie Smith-Kaapuwai of Lawton, Oklahoma, six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) would be appreciated.