David "Bruce" Smith, 78, of Heavener, Oklahoma was born January 19, 1940 in Poteau, Oklahoma to Wayne and Helen (Alfred) Smith and passed away at his home on April 13, 2018 in Heavener, Oklahoma after a two year battle with cancer.

He is survived by:

His wife:
Faye Smith of the home

Two daughters:
Beth Bratcher and husband Ed of Pineville, Louisiana
Marci Russell and husband Brett of Clinton, Oklahoma

Five grandchildren:
Carly and Tate Bratcher of Pineville, Louisiana
Allison, Reagan and Lane Russell of Clinton, Oklahoma

One sister:
Lynn Kruger of Saskatchewan, Canada

Two brothers:
Randy Smith of Houston, Texas
Brad Smith of Houston, Texas

Numerous loved ones and a host of friends

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Sylvia Wann and Kathy Minor.

After graduating from Heavener High School in 1958, Bruce served four years in the United States Air Force as an Airman 2nd Class. He is a veteran of the Vietnam Era. In 1963, he married Faye in her hometown of Warfordsburg, PA and moved the family to Heavener, Oklahoma. After graduating from UCO, formerly Central State University, in 1968 he began his career as a public school teacher for 3 years and 16 years with the department of Vo-Tech. He served 11 years as an ordained minister with the United Methodist Church and as interim pastor at Independence Baptist Church for 2 1/2 years. Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting, was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, loved music and was an exceptional piano player and singer. He sang with several Barbershop quartets and church choirs. He also loved to serve others and could often be found around town being the "widow ladies repairman" and also playing hymns on the piano at nursing homes. Bruce loved Faye and his family. He will be deeply missed by many.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 19, 2018 at the Heavener First Baptist Church with Brother M.C. Ollar, Brother Sam Dyer, and Brother Jimmy Binns officiating. Burial will follow in Monroe Cemetery in Monroe, Oklahoma under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener, Oklahoma.

Pallbearers will be: Caleb Kirby, Pat Cogburn, Anthony Gniech, Ron Pelaconi, John Kelly, Gary Youree, Marvin Meredith, Cody Smith, and Carl Luce.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Bill Pitchford, Bobby Johnston, Mike Vickers, Bud Wright, Johnny Wann, and Billy Teakell.

Viewing will be from noon until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday; 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., Wednesday; 8:30 a.m. until noon, Thursday.

The family will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday evening at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, Bruce requested donations be made to the Gideons International.

Visitation
Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
710 US Hwy 270
Heavener, Oklahoma 74937
Funeral Service
First Baptist Church
Thursday, April 19, 2018
2:00 PM

Heav, Oklahoma