In Memoriam - Charles Smith
Founding OPHS member,Charles Robert Smith, passed away on July 21, 2020, at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Charles was President of OPHS from 2001 thru 2004. He was born on February 28, 1931 and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1948. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Washburn University and a master's degree in Guidance
Counseling from the University of Kansas.
Charles started his career in education in 1959 with the Shawnee Mission School District. He went on to teach at Old Mission Junior High, Shawnee Mission West and served as the Vice Principal. He was inaugural principal for Trailridge Middle School when it opened in1967.
In the mid-70's, Charles was promoted to the district office as the Director of Pupil services until his retirement in1994. Charles was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, National Education Association, the Screen Actors Guild, and American Federation of Radio and TV Artists. Charles was also a proud Rotarian and was a charter member of the Lenexa Rotary Club where he served as Past District Governor, Dist. 5710 and Past Charter President of the Lenexa Rotary Club. He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award by the Rotary International. Charles was also a member of the Lenexa Masonic Lodge #135 and Abdallah Shrine where he was a member of the Joker's Club. Charles also served as the consumer member of the Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts. Charles was most proud of being a member of MacGeezers and the Head Wrangler at the "Lazy S Bar Nothin' Ranch. "He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Patricia Pitney Smith; his children, Mark (RoxAnne) Smith; Nancy (Glen) Stramel; Bruce (Kim) Smith, Carol (Aaron) Garton; 7 grandchildren, Jason Smith; Nathan Smith; Grant (Rachael) Stramel; Todd Stramel; Blair (Bob) Harris; Macauley (Kelsey) Garton; Ally Garton and five great grandchildren. We will remember Charles warmly and will miss his leadership and humor.
Charles was President of OPHS from 2001 thru 2004. He was born on February 28, 1931 and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1948. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Washburn University and a master's degree in Guidance
Counseling from the University of Kansas.
Charles started his career in education in 1959 with the Shawnee Mission School District. He went on to teach at Old Mission Junior High, Shawnee Mission West and served as the Vice Principal. He was inaugural principal for Trailridge Middle School when it opened in1967.
In the mid-70's, Charles was promoted to the district office as the Director of Pupil services until his retirement in1994. Charles was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, National Education Association, the Screen Actors Guild, and American Federation of Radio and TV Artists. Charles was also a proud Rotarian and was a charter member of the Lenexa Rotary Club where he served as Past District Governor, Dist. 5710 and Past Charter President of the Lenexa Rotary Club. He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award by the Rotary International. Charles was also a member of the Lenexa Masonic Lodge #135 and Abdallah Shrine where he was a member of the Joker's Club. Charles also served as the consumer member of the Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts. Charles was most proud of being a member of MacGeezers and the Head Wrangler at the "Lazy S Bar Nothin' Ranch. "He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Patricia Pitney Smith; his children, Mark (RoxAnne) Smith; Nancy (Glen) Stramel; Bruce (Kim) Smith, Carol (Aaron) Garton; 7 grandchildren, Jason Smith; Nathan Smith; Grant (Rachael) Stramel; Todd Stramel; Blair (Bob) Harris; Macauley (Kelsey) Garton; Ally Garton and five great grandchildren. We will remember Charles warmly and will miss his leadership and humor.
