Terry Leslie Smith

Terry Leslie Smith, 68, of Cleveland, Oklahoma, passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at his home.

Terry was born December 14, 1949, in Pawnee, Oklahoma. He was the son of Willard Dean and Norma Jean (Moore) Smith. Terry was raised and attended school in Pawnee as well as Cleveland, Oklahoma; graduating from Cleveland High School in 1968.

Terry enlisted into the service of his country during his senior year of high school in the United States Navy deferred enlistment program. Immediately following graduation, Terry was placed on active duty and assigned to the United States Naval Training Center in San Diego in May of 1968 where he attended basic training. Terry remained on active duty in the United States Navy for seven years. He was then honorably discharged from service to his country.

Terry remained in California following his discharge and began working as a fire fighter for the Del Mar California Fire Department. He was employed as a full-time fire fighter for the City of Del Mar until another opportunity in fire fighting became available in the late 1970's. At that time Terry accepted a position as an instructor at Mesa Community College teaching fire science and emergency medical technician classes. Terry also was an instructor at Grossmont College in San Diego in 1981 and 1982 and later served as a Vocational Education instructor at San Diego State University. Upon completion of investigator training, Terry was later appointed as a fire investigator in Southern California while residing in Citrus Heights. On May 27, 1995, Terry was united in marriage to Maxine Louise Tilley. In 1996, Terry and Maxine returned to Oklahoma, and he accepted employment with the State of Oklahoma. Terry worked as a State Fire Marshall Investigator from 1997 until his retirement in May of 2013.

Terry enjoyed spending time traveling with Maxine. Some of their favorite places to visit were New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Southern California. He also liked to play practical jokes on his friends. Terry especially enjoying piloting drone aircraft and spent considerable time enjoying this hobby. One of his favorite places to dine was Red Lobster. He loved life and enjoyed life to the fullest and loved his dogs very much.

Survivors are his wife Maxine of the home; two children Eric and Jason Smith of California; sister Sharon Swanson of Kingfisher, Oklahoma; a grandson Josiah; numerous other relatives and friends who will mourn his passing. . Terry was preceded in death by his father Dean Smith, mother Norma Clark and a brother Kerry Smith.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Monday, February 5, 2017, at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Cleveland Fire Department Pastor Ray Earley officiating. Burial will follow on the family lots in the Dixie Bear Creek Cemetery in Cleveland, Oklahoma. Friends and family may share a memory on Terry's memorial website online at www.chapman-black.com. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.

Pallbearers will be handled by the North 48 Fire Department.

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