Gene was born in Newcastle on April 30, 1931, in the house he had lived in most of his life. One of his last wishes was to die in that house, which he did. He attended Newcastle Schools, graduating with the Racer Class of 1949. He worked most of his young life in M. M. Smith General Store, hauling flour, and etc.

He participated in Newcastle Band, FFA, sports and drove the school bus on daily routes as well as many school trips. He also worked as soon as he was old enough as a farmer on the family farm that was founded in 1928.

While in high school, he had an eye on a young girl who was also a graduate of Newcastle High School with the Racer Class of 1953. A month after she graduated, Mary Ellen Martin and Gene were married on June 19, 1953, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started a life together for 45 years until she passed in 1998. Square Dancing was a large part of their lives.

He spent 20 years working at FAA, sold Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance, ran a Mobil Gas Station, and sold Amsoil. He was the owner of Green Light Auto Supply in the 1970’s. Whatever it took to take care of his family, he did it. Gene worked on the family farm raising cotton, wheat, corn, pigs and beef cattle since he was 15 years old.

Driving his John Deere tractor and working the fields was one of his greatest pleasures. In recent years, he could be seen on his zero-turn John Deere mower or John Deere Gator, driving north on the west side of Main Street in Newcastle.

Gene was active in his community. He served 10 years on the Newcastle School Board, supported the Newcastle FFA program and attended countless Ag bonus auctions. He worked on elections at the Newcastle Precinct and was a member of the McClain County Fair Board.

He was a man of faith; he grew up in the Primitive Baptist Church. Gene loved and supported his children and grandchildren in all of their school activities. He was respected by the community of Newcastle and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, M.M. and Elder Smith; sister, Wilma Wilds; his wife, Mary Ellen; and many other cousins, aunts and uncles.

He is survived by: his three children, daughters, Brenda Gladney and husband Kenneth of Newcastle, Anita Stair and husband Roger of Claremore, and son, Dawayne Smith and wife Sherry of Newcastle; six grandchildren and spouses, Cody and Ashley Gladney of Frisco, Texas, Bradley and Megan Stair of Edmond, Heidi and Brady Vogel of Farmers Branch, Texas, Sarah and Andy Fiegener of Claremore, Laura and Clint Howell of Newcastle, and Matthew and Emma Smith of Anderson, South Carolina; and eight greatgrandchildren, Charley Gladney, Cade Gladney, Crosby Stair, Reed Howell, Henley Howell, Callan Gene Smith, Parks Smith, and Miriam Smith. He is also survived by: two brothers-in-law, Devohn Martin and wife Doris of Newcastle, and Herbert Ray Martin of Newcastle; two sisters-in-law, Judy Martin of Newcastle, and Vernetta Martin of Florida; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Visitation with family and friends will be at Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Newcastle from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2026. His family will have a private burial on Friday morning at Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle. His Funeral Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Newcastle High School Auditorium. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.