Command Sgt. Major Ocie L. Smithhart (Retired)

Funeral services for Command Sgt. Major Ocie L. Smithhart (Retired), 91, of Lufkin will be held Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Jackie Nichols officiating. Graveside services with military honors will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park. Command Sgt. Major Smitthart was born February 14, 1924 in Lufkin, Texas to the late Dee and Janie (Thomas) Smithhart, and died Saturday, December 5, 2015 in a local hospital. Command Sgt. Major Smithhart had resided in Lufkin for 45 years. He joined the U.S. Army January 19, 1940 and was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas until the outbreak of World War II. He was deployed to the South Pacific Theater in 1942 and participated in five amphibious assaults on Bismarch Archipelago, New Guinea, Southern Philippines, Leyte and Luzon. During these battles, he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star w/Oak Leaf, Purple Heart w/Oak Leaf, and numerous other meritorious awards, as well as witnessing the historic return of General MacArthur. He was stationed back in the United States August 9, 1945. His next overseas deployment was in Germany for 13 years, where he and his wife Bobbie raised their two children. He returned to the United States in 1966 and then immediately deployed to the Republic of South Vietnam for two tours. He was promoted to Command Sergeant Major until his retirement in 1970. Following his career in the military he later retired as shop foreman of William Cameron Lumber Co. He was of the Protestant faith. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Mona and Glenn Lovett of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Glenda Smithhart of Lake Fork; grandchildren, Baylen and Tracy Lovett, Brandon and Angela Lovett, R.J. Smithhart, Jr., and Tracy Smithhart; great-grandchildren, Brennan Lovett, Piper Lovett, Paige Lovett, Mariza Smithhart, Oleona Smithhart, Caleb Smithhart, Elizabeth Smithhart, and Jacob Smithhart; brother and sister-in-law, Burl and Ruth Smithhart of Florida; sister, Marcielle Pustjousky of Rapid City, South Dakota; and special nephew, Dickie Pustjousky of Huntsville. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bobbie Jean Smithhart; and two sisters. Pallbearers will be Dickie Pustjousky, Baylen Lovett, Brandon Lovett, Brennan Lovett, R.J. Smithhart, Jr., and Dustin Nichols. Honorary pallbearers will be Sgt. Major Edward Stanberry (Retired). Memorial contributions may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.