Pat Smittle

WILSON - Pat Smittle, 93, died Saturday, May 7, 2016.

Mass will be held Friday, May 13, 11 AM, at St. Therese Catholic Church. Entombment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park. Visitation will be Thursday, 7 - 8:00 PM, at Wilson Memorial Service.

He was born February 17, 1923 in Tulsa, OK, to the late Ross and Grace Smittle. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Mary Stepp Smittle; brother, R.E. Smittle and sister, Shirley Smittle.

Pat grew up in Tulsa, OK where he graduated from East Central High School in 1940. After serving in the Coast Guard during World War II, he returned to Oklahoma to attend the University of Tulsa. He graduated in 1950 with a Batchelor Degree in Petroleum Marketing and he was employed by Phillips Petroleum "Phillips 66" in their Marketing Department for 34 years. His career took him from Bartlesville, OK, to Raleigh and back to Oklahoma.

A true Oklahoman, he took great pleasure and pride in sharing his stories of his native state. He would light up with the very name of his beloved state!

As a father, he was actively involved in his children's endeavors. Whether it was taking them to swim meets, school plays, or baseball games, he loved seeing his children participate in sporting and school events and cheering them on. He was an avid golfer until his health prevented him from playing, always reminding everyone of his hole in one three different times. He was aware of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and would regularly participate in 5K races into his 70's and riding his bike well into his 80's.

He and his wife, Mary, traveled to all 50 states. They loved visiting all of the Major League Baseball Stadiums. He loved baseball and could recall to the minute details of most of the games and players he watched. It was a pleasure to hear the stories of the great older players.

Surviving is his son, Stanley Smittle of Dallas, TX; five daughters, Pat Tate (Doug) of Sarasota, FL, Teresa Duckworth (Roger) of Pinehurst, Suzie Bass (Sonny) of Elm City, Michelle Williams (late husband, Jeff) of Raleigh, Liz Butcher (Jack) of Norman, OK; 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren all of which he was so proud of and loved deeply; sisters, Peggy Fleener and Carol Gottlieb of Tulsa, OK.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to Dina Celestino for her love, friendship, care, compassion and companionship shown to our father. We would also thank the entire staff of the Hospice Department of Wilson Medical Center, especially to Sharon Starke, RN. Thank you to Dr. Lindsey DeGuehery and his staff for their expert medical care and compassion shown to our father. Thank you to Tim Winks of St. Therese Church for his weekly visits. Thank you to the wonderful staff at Spring Arbor for the loving care shown. We will forever be grateful to you all.

Memorials are suggested to St. Therese Catholic Church, 700 Nash St NE, Wilson, NC 27893-3047.