1934 - 2025
Robert LeRoy Smetana was born in Anthony, Kansas on August 3, 1934, to Joseph L. and Amelia E. (Berka) Smetana. He grew up on the Smetana family homestead that Robert’s grandparents had claimed during the Cherokee Strip Land Run in September, 1893. He attended Medford Public Schools, graduating in 1952.
Robert served our country in the U.S. Army as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Fire Control Crewman from 1954-1956. Before and after his military service he worked for Beech Aircraft, Cessna and Boeing as a Final Assembler.
He married Judith A. Wages on November 22, 1958. In 1962, they moved from Wichita, Kansas, to the Smetana family homestead north of Medford.
Robert was a lifelong farmer and rancher. He enjoyed woodworking and building/flying model airplanes.
Robert was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judy; parents, Joseph and Amelia Smetana; a sister, Lucille (who died in infancy), brothers Adolph (Edna) Smetana, Carl (Rose) Smetana, and a sister, Clara (Herb) Arens. He was also preceded in death by two great granddaughters, Madison Witt and Briella Farrar.
He is survived by three children, Debra (Steve) Witt of Enid, Oklahoma, Wayne (Patricia) Smetana of Wakefield, Kansas, and Timothy (Lori) Smetana, of Spokane, Washington. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Bonnie (Caleb) Farrar of Perryton, Texas, Jerod (Jennifer) Witt of Cypress, Texas, Amber (Ryan) Davis of Emporia, Kansas, Heather Smetana of Junction City, Kansas, Cori Ondrashek of Junction City, Kansas, Sarah (Phillip) Valentine, of Junction City, Kansas, Avery (Megan) Smetana of Spokane, Washington and Peyton (Emily) Smetana of Washington, DC; 12 great grandchildren, Atreyou, Dominic (Avaree) and Magnolia Farrar of Perryton, Texas, Matthew and Autumn Witt of Cypress, Texas, Lydia and Madilyn Davis of Emporia, Kansas, Ayden and Alice Smetana, Joseph Ondrashek, Victor and Emma Valentine, all of Junction City, Kansas. He is also survived by many other relatives and friends.
Services for Robert will be held at 10:00 am Friday, March 21, 2025 at the Enid First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Bruce Johnson officiating. Services are under the kind guidance of the Amy Stittsworth Funeral Service. Military honors will be serviced by the United States Army. Committal prayers and interment will be at Rosemound Cemetery in Medford.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rosemound Cemetery Association with the funeral home serving as custodians.
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