Austin Lee Smythe

So, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal 2 Corinthians 14-18 Austin Lee Smythe was born December 14, 1939 and entered Heaven’s Gates on Thursday, September 16, 2021. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Eugene Smythe, his mother, Pauline Glass Roberts, his wife, Sharon Kay Smythe, his brother, Robert Smythe and sister Sue Jenks. Surviving family includes his brother, Jimmy; lifetime friend, Dick Elms; three sons, Gary Smythe (wife Carla), Jon Smythe, and youngest son, Joe Smythe (wife Michelle); three granddaughters, three grandsons, three great grandsons, and one great granddaughter and a host of cousins and great nieces, nephews and many friends….The family would like to thank the community for all of the good times. He loved each of you and loved Fort Gibson. Catfish, storytelling, reminiscing about Friday night lights and the baseball Diamond, Men’s breakfast, Sunday preaching, giving dollars to his grandkids, The Razorbacks, sipping coffee as the sun rose, early morning donut holes and deer stands….these were some of his favorite things… by the way “ is supper ready” ?!? May we all carry on the love for these traditions as we miss Papa Austin in this life. “Hey, hey, hey…” These will be the moments we remember. The ones that he hopped into his truck, revved it up, and showed up for all of life’s moments including making it to hold Maeleigh Grace, his great granddaughter (and not putting her down) for the first days of her life. One of his namesake Reece Austin had his first tractor ride with Papa at 6 months. Mason and Papa bonded over hunting, fishing, and most of all being mischievous while Maddex egged them on. If you've driven on a road in Oklahoma there’s a good chance that he built it and if you’ve been pulled over by an Oklahoma Highway Patrolman, he knew him too. Austin retired from Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and ran a dozer to build countless ponds through the years. The last few years have been different as Papa mourned his favorite person to tease, Mema (or, Meme as Scott, Brian and Jonah called her.) Even though according to him she loved that dog more than him. He showed up for his family. His last Christmas was spent with his eldest two sons playing games into the late hours of the night and causing mischief. This was a special time because there were many years that Papa had prayed at the holiday dinner table for his two eldest sons on their travels around the world. Austin stepped in to help Carla during many of Gary’s travels…even enjoying a candlelit dinner after his granddaughter Jamie was born. Upon returning home Austin went back to his daily routine of making his rounds in town and picking on his daughter in law Michelle, who made the best deer steak. Austin looked forward to dinner brought by Joe and Michelle every other day. Michelle and Joe devotingly have been by Austin’s side up to the last moments. Papa had joked several times about being with Mema and I guess he needed to wait for The Hogs to beat Texas before he could go. One of the last family events that Papa attended was the marriage of his eldest grandson, Scott Austin who married Leah which was apparently all Austin’s fault but that is another story… Amen. Play Ball. See ya later alligator. You will be missed. A visitation is scheduled for Sunday, September 19, 2021 at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home in Fort Gibson with family receiving friends 1PM-3PM. Services celebrating Austin’s life will be held 11AM Monday, September 20, 2021 at First Freewill Baptist Church in Fort Gibson with Pastor Tommy Honeycutt officiating. The family of Austin Lee Smythe has entrusted his care, services and cremation to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555. Online condolences may be left for the family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com If you are not able to attend services for Austin, the family would like to invite you to watch online at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78843377108?pwd=YzBRZEVGdklCSFA0UHVqbHpDMGcyZz09 passcode if needed 863622

Austin Lee Smythe

December 14, 1939 - September 16, 2021