Richard Lee Smith

Richard Lee 'Smitty' Smith, age 85, of McLoud, OK, was born on March 26, 1922 in Lawrence, Kansas. He was the son of Charles Wesley & Velma Leora Westfall Smith. He left this life on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 in Oklahoma City, OK. Smitty served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a jockey at Askben Field and in California where he rode against Sea Biscuit. On June 27, 1950 he placed first riding Ala Clad. On September 4, 1950 he placed first riding Chrysilla King at Skier Centennial Park. In the statistics for the jockeys during the 1950''s, he is listed at #11. Smitty retired from API after 12 years. Smitty was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty and brother, Charles Smith. Survivors include 10 sons, Marc Wesley Smith & wife, Crystal, Yukon, OK, Terry Lee Smith and Stephen Lind Smith, Richard Guptill, Shawnee, OK, Raymond Guptill, Tracy, CA, Robert Guptill, Sonora, CA, John David Guptill, Hayward, CA, Michael Guptill, Livermore, CA, Gene Guptill, Bethany, OK, John Brittain, Ft. Worth, TX; 2 daughters, Linda Guptill, McLoud, OK, Velma Smith-Holcomb, Poway, CA; 25 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Graveside services will be held 3:00 PM, Saturday, January 26, 2008 at Memory Lane Cemetery, Harrah, OK. Services are under the direction of Smith~Parks Funeral Service in Harrah, OK.