Al Smith

Alfred G. Smith was born April 29, 1943 in Compton, California to Emmett and Gertrude Smith. He passed from this life on Alfred spent his high school days playing football and wrestling. He lettered 3 years in both sports before graduating in June 1961 from Manuel Dominguez High School. After high school, Alfred would take up boxing at a local gym. He jokes that he once got a trophy for coming in second place. Throughout the years, Alfred traveled several times back to Oklahoma visiting family. He made his final trip to Oklahoma in 1964, living with his family until he met his future wife. Alfred met Retha Brent at a revival in Bixby and after a very short courtship they wed in just five weeks from their initial meeting. Alfred and Retha were married on March 27, 1965 in a small service surrounded by family and friends. And if you ask Alfred, he will tell you Retha told him that she was rich and that is why he married her. In November, 1966, Alfred was drafted into the Army. He was stationed at Camp King in Oberursel, Germany as a supply clerk with the 513 Military Intelligence. Lucky for the newlyweds, Retha was able to join Alfred in a small apartment off the base. Enjoying their first few years taking in the sight of Oberursel, until his honorable discharge in 1968. After his discharge from the Army, Alfred and Retha moved back to settle in Bixby, Oklahoma. He used the money he received from the Army to go to welding school in West Tulsa. Alfred worked several years for Zorn Industries before the company closed. Then, he worked for several other shops until he became a mail carrier for the United States Post Office. Serving many years at the downtown Post Office, Alfred moved to the Robert Jenkins Station until he retired in 2014. Alfred and Retha added to the family after years of trying, they were able to add a son, Johnny in 1970. In 1973, Larinda was born. It would be several more years before their family was complete with another son, David born in 1987. Of course there were a few dogs and cats in the family. Alfred was a Sunday School Teacher and Children’s Church Pastor while serving and attending the Assembly of God Church in downtown Bixby. Alfred was known as “The Professor” in Children’s Church, with his Alfalfa Direction Pointer To Jesus, his Baby Bib on the back of his jacket ‘so the devil’s saying wouldn’t get on him’ and his Red Tie for the reminder of the “Blood of Jesus” who shed his blood for him (and all mankind) Alfred was also known by Al, AG, and Big Al. He was known for his storytelling talent, his testimonies, quick wit on Facebook posts, but most of all for his loving and kind heart. He is preceded in death by his father, Emmett Smith, mother, Gertrude Bell, and brother, Emmett Edward Smith. He is survived by his Wife of 60 years, Retha Smith of the home; Son, Johnny Smith and Wife, Sonya of Boliver Missouri; Daughter, Larinda Smith of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Son, David Smith and Wife, Tasha Moser of Bixby, Oklahoma; Grandchildren Dustin Anderson and wife KiAna, Brittany Jones and Husband, Brandon, Zachary Smith, Bailey Smith, Blaize Smith; 2 Great-Grandchildren, Ivory and Oden Anderson; Sister, Anna Childress and Husband, Jerry as well as many other family and friends.

Tributes

Al Smith

April 29, 1943 - December 15, 2025