Oscar Dell Smith

Oscar D. Smith, 100, passed away in Wichita, Kansas on June 17, 2025. He was born in Chadron, Nebraska on October 31, 1924 to Oscar C. and Della H. Marburger. At four years of age, he was adopted by Louis D. and Mary F. Smith of Spearfish, South Dakota where he was raised and graduated from High School in 1942.

Oscar was drafted into the U.S. Army, April 1943, and served three years including 14 months in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. While stationed in Leavenworth, Kansas, he met his wife, Mary A. Struth. They were married on December 18, 1943 in the Ft. Leavenworth Chapel. Oscar and Mary moved to Olathe in 1947 where they raised their three sons and were very involved in their community. They were married for 71 years. Oscar moved to Wichita in recent years to be closer to his family.

Oscar worked for the Johnson County Democrat, a local weekly newspaper, as an advertising manager for five years before becoming a temporary manager pending the sale of the newspaper to the Hutchinson newspaper chain in 1959. He was the first advertising manager of the former Olathe Daily News. In 1960, he began working for the Kansas City Star as a reporter and photographer. He has the distinction of having produced the first color photo for the Star. He also took a family picture with the most number of people in one photo-129 family members. In 1978, he left the Star to work as a public relations officer for the Johnson County Airport Commission where he remained for 11 years until his retirement in 1989. In December 2009, Oscar was awarded a plaque by the City of Overland Park Public Safety Committee establishing the O.D. Smith News Media Award for Balanced and Responsible Journalism.

He was a member of New Hope Presbyterian Church of Olathe.

Oscar was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on May, 21, 1953 in Olathe Lodge #19 AF & AM where he served as Master in 1959 and 1997. He served the lodge as Secretary for 33 years. In 1964 he was appointed Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Kansas. In 1965 he was appointed as a District Deputy Grand Master, and served on numerous committees. He organized the Past District Deputy Grand Master’s Association in 1965 and served that unit as Secretary for 30 years. He was a Past High Priest of the Olathe Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Past Illustrious Master of the Olathe Council of Cryptic Masons, and Past Commander of the Olathe Commandery of Knights Templar. He was a member of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor. He was a life member of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Kansas, the Grand York Rite of Kansas, the Royal Order of Scotland and the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.

Oscar was elected and served as Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Kansas for 1995.

Preceding Oscar in death were his parents, his adoptive parents, his wife Mary, and two sisters Jean Lyman, Janice Robbins, and son Terry L. Smith. He is survived by sons Joseph D. Smith and wife Bonnie of Fort Scott, Kansas; Keith I. Smith and wife Debbie of Bavaria, Kansas; grandchildren Robin, Mike (Andrea), Tim, David, Tori (Adam), Gavin (Lauren) and seven great grandchildren.

Oscar was cremated according to his wishes. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 18 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 S Black Bob Rd, Olathe, KS 66062. Inurnment will be at 1 p.m. in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Olathe, Kansas.

The family requests no flowers and suggests memorials to either the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars by using the links below. 

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