Howard Norris Smith, lovingly known as "Papa," entered his heavenly home on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the age of 86.

Howard was born on November 18, 1939, in Wichita Falls, Texas to Boyd and Esta Smith. He was raised with strong values of faith, integrity, and service that guided him throughout his life. Howard graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City and later met the love of his life, Betty, through the University of Oklahoma.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tulsa and completed a Commercial Banking Diploma at the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.

Howard devoted his professional life to banking, beginning his career at Sand Springs State Bank. As President of SSSB, he later transitioned to the Bank of Oklahoma, where he held several leadership roles and earned the affectionate reputation of being "The Fixer." He spent a year serving with the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) in Kansas City before returning to Oklahoma. After additional time at Valley National Bank, Howard retired following 15 years of dedicated service at American Heritage Bank.

A respected community leader, Howard was named the 2003 Business Person of the Year by the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce, was honored as the 2007 Sand Springs Hometown Hero, and received an Honorary Key to the city of Sand Springs. He was deeply involved with and a steadfast supporter of both the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Sand Springs Educational Foundation.

Howard embraced life fully and enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. His many hobbies included tennis, water and snow skiing, ice skating, running, and golf. Alongside Betty, he was a longtime member of Sand Springs Methodist Church. Howard shared his presence and leadership through Sunday School teaching, committee service, and financial support. He spent many years helping with the church's Thanksgiving meal outreach and, with Betty, volunteered with Restore Hope distributing food to those in need.

Howard was preceded in death by the love of his life, Betty Smith; his parents, Boyd and Esta Smith; and his brother, Donald B. Smith.

He is survived by his children, Kelly Don Smith and wife Amy of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Jeannie Sue Carl and husband Donald of Bixby; grandchildren Madison Renée Smith, Charles Lucas Carl, and William Benjamin Carl; sister-in-law Carolyn Sandusky of Edmond; nephew Jeff Sandusky and great-nephew Keegan Sandusky of Edmond; sister-in-law Sue Wiedemann Koons and husband John of Broken Arrow; and stepsister-in-law Jan Elliott and husband Tim of Bryan, Texas.

A Celebration of Howard's Life will be held March 15th at 2:00 pm at Sand Springs Methodist Church, with Pastor Davidson "Cole" Fields officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service.

Please visit www.mogro.co to read a special tribute to Howard, and to share your memories of him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Sand Springs Methodist Church, 319 N. Main Street, Sand Springs, OK 74063, designated for the Pastor's Discretionary Fund or the Church Choir.

If you choose to have flowers delivered, please use this address/contact information:
Jeannie Carl
11220 S 102nd East Ave
Bixby, OK 74008
918-706-7247