Lewis Emmitt Smith

Lewis Emmitt Smith., 82, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma passed away on Friday, February 10, 2024. Born in Norman, Oklahoma on April 4, 1941, Lewis was the youngest son of Rufus Francis and Lilly Belle Smith’s eleven children. Lewis graduated from Norman High School in 1960. He attended The University of Oklahoma College of Electrical Engineering graduating in 1965 and went on to study Business Administration at the University of Tulsa where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1973. Lewis went to work for OG&E after graduating from OU and later went to work for Applied Automation beginning his 30-year sales career in the oil and gas automation business. After graduating from Tulsa with an MBA he went to work for Toshiba International in 1981 as Vice-President of the instrumentation division. Over his 25-year career with Toshiba he was an accomplished Engineer and Executive who cared about his employees. In 1970, Lewis met his wife of 53 years, Carol Lilburn, when they were both living in Muskogee, Oklahoma. They went on to marry in February 1971 and had three children, Christopher (deceased), Mark (deceased) and Steven. Lewis was a dedicated member of the Baptist Church and served his local church through teaching Sunday school or sitting on committees. From 1965 to 1971 Lewis served in the United States Air National Guard and was a Oklahoma professional electrical engineer. He was an avid fan of OU athletics from football to softball he loved the ups and downs of every season. Boomer Sooner!! When not cheering on OU he could be found raising cattle at his farm. Lewis and Carol owned a 230-acre farm in Nowata County after retirement and with the help of good friends Dr. Bill Fesler, Floyd Overton, and Brent Bell they took over the cow-calf operation. Lewis would be on his tractor moving round hay bales and Carol driving the feed truck spreading feed out to make for easy counting heads of cows and calves. Lewis learned how to helicopter fly when he got between a calf and mama cow and she threw him over a gate. When Lewis’s health declined, the difficult decision to sell was made but they really missed counting new baby calves each year. Lewis is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 53 years, Carol, his son Steven, and his wife Tricia and his two grandkids Grayson and Reagan. In addition, being the youngest of 11 there are many nieces and nephews. Lewis will be deeply missed. His legacy and memory have left a lasting impression in our hearts and lives. The Smith family will have a viewing on Thursday 02/15/2024 from 5-8PM at Stumpff Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Bartlesville on Friday 02/16/2024. In lieu of flowers, the Smith family requests donations to Michael Tod Lilburn Memorial Scholarship at University of Oklahoma. This scholarship, founded by the family in 2007, helps future journalists at the Gaylord School of Journalism fund their educations. Call 1-844-683-6667 (OUDONOR) or email donorhelp@ou.edu to make a donation.

Lewis Emmitt Smith

April 4, 1941 - February 10, 2024