Max Smith

Lt. Col. Max Edward Smith August 30, 1932 - May 19, 2025 Max Edward Smith was born on Tuesday, August 30, 1932 at his home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to Truman and Bessie (Wilson) Smith. He graduated from Broken Arrow High School on May 19, 1950. Seventy-five years later on the same day, Max finished the course of this earthly life and graduated into eternal life with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After high school Max attended the University of Oklahoma and was a member of the Air Force ROTC. He graduated from OU in 1954 and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. Max married Judy Ross of Broken Arrow on March 16, 1963. Their marriage of 62 years was filled with love and adventure, living in Alabama, California, Maine, Texas, Florida, and Louisiana before returning to Broken Arrow in 1976. Max flew B-47s and B-52s during the Cold War, Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam. He was the Senior Duty officer at the Tactical Control Center while in Viet Nam, flying over 75 missions. He received the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters and received a First Class Medal of Honor from the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for his cooperation and service during the war. Max was the Base Pistol Champion at Loring Air Force Base. A distinguished graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, Max served as the Air Force representative to the Army Air Defence Command and Staff College at Fort Bliss, Texas. Max retired from the Air Force after 22 years of service and returned to Broken Arrow to raise his family and invest in his community. In doing so Max completed his Master of School Administration at the University of Tulsa and began a second career in school administration serving as Assistant Principal of Sequoyah Middle School, Principal of the South Intermediate High School, and retired as the Principal of the Broken Arrow High School. He was a leader and mentor for many of his students, faculty, and staff. He continued to serve Broken Arrow Schools as a member of the School Board for 10 years, including two years as the Board Chair. Max also served Broken Arrow through his leadership with the Civitans Club, Broken Arrow Historical Society and was named the Volunteer of the Year by the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce in 2004. Max’s greatest legacy was as a husband, father, grandfather and in the relationships he nurtured. He offered an authentic and persevering witness as a disciple of Jesus, laying a foundation of faith for his family and others. Max was a member of the Arrow Heights Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, teacher, and on various leadership committees. His listening ear, wise counsel, and generosity enriched the lives of many in his church, his community, and family. Max and Judy were long-time season ticket holders to OU football games and enjoyed traveling to away games when possible. Their travels took them to Europe, Central America, Alaska, and several trips to Hawaii. Max enjoyed his Sunday afternoon drives and eating out at new and fine dining establishments. He enjoyed traveling with and supporting his grandchildren in their sports and activities. And in these last years he welcomed the next generation of great-grandchildren into the family. Those left to build upon his legacy are his wife, Judy of Broken Arrow; son Wade (Gay) of Norman; daughter Darci Delso (Dusty) of Broken Arrow; grandchildren Danielle Moses (Josh), Dylan Delso, Morgan Tovar (Tim), Diandra Delso, Jennifer Smith, Alyssa Smith, and Wilson Smith; great-grandchildren, Vivienne, Elizabeth, Madeleine, and Theodore. Those who have gone before him into eternity include his parents, Truman and Bessie; his sister Patty Crawford (Wayne) and nephew, Ricky. In lieu of flowers the family invites you to offer a memorial gift to the Max Smith Leadership Scholarship (Checks can be made out to Broken Arrow Public Schools and mailed to the Education Service Center to the attention of the Treasurer with “Max Smith Scholarship” in the memo line.) or to the Smith-Delso Baseball Foundation (smithdelso.org/donation).

Tributes

Max Smith

August 30, 1932 - May 19, 2025