Philip Roland Smothermon Sr.

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March 20, 1935 - August 16, 2019

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  • Philip Roland Smothermon Sr.
    Philip Roland Smothermon Sr.
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On Friday, August 16, 2019, Philip Roland Smothermon, Sr., loving husband and father of five children, passed away at the age of 84. Skip, as he was known to friends and loved ones, was born on March 20, 1935 in Rocky Ford, Colorado to Curles and Clara (Williams) Smothermon. He was a member of the first graduating class of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in 1959. He married his bride, Mary Catherine Ruth on June 3, 1959. Together, they welcomed five children into their family; Philip, Susan, Kirt, Richard, and Ruth.

Skip was first and foremost a member of the United States Air Force. He was a highly decorated pilot during the Vietnam War and a military hero who was shot down, earning the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, and numerous other medals. His military career spanned over 20 years and took the family around the world. Upon his retirement from the Air Force, Skip and Mary Catherine co-owned some businesses with friends that took them to Chandler, Oklahoma where Skip also became a part-time EMT.

Skip then returned to school and earned his teacher certification. Upon selling the businesses in 1985, Skip began teaching high school math and computers at Midwest City High School until his retirement. Eventually, Skip and Mary Catherine moved to Oklahoma City, and finally Edmond, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Skip was known for his dry sense of humor, and while he could be a man of few words, no one ever doubted where he stood and he could always be counted on when needed.

Skip was preceded in death by his father, Curles, his stepfather, Clifford, his mother, Clara, his brother, Robert, his son Kirt, and grandson Matthew. He is survived by his wife, Mary Catherine, four of his children; Philip and wife Debbie, Susan, Richard and wife Connie, and Ruth, as well as grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews, and his faithful dog Trey, who all loved him dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Bradford Village Community Center at 300 Enz Drive, Edmond, OK. Final arrangements were under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, Oklahoma City. (Paid Obituary)