Eugene ‘Gene’ Smith

Eugene Paul “Gene” Smith, better known to many as “Peaches,” passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 20, in the Hennessey Public Schools Auditorium, 213 N. Walnut, under the direction of Cordry-Gritz Funeral Home of Hennessey.

Gene was born in Hatch, N.M., on July 12, 1946, to Robert Grady Smith and Thelma (Horn) Smith.

He married Ruby Tomlinson on Nov. 1, 1964, and they had two children – Tina Michelle and Allen Dale.

Shortly after their marriage, they moved their young family to Hennessey during the oil boom in the late 1960s. ‘Peaches’ quickly became a fixture in the oil industry in northwest Oklahoma.

Gene established Lightning Services, Inc., in the early 1980s and successfully owned and operated that business until his retirement.

After Gene and Ruby’s divorce, Gene met his soulmate, Pat Evans in Enid. They spent over four decades together.

Gene is survived by his partner Pat of Enid; daughter Tina Gilliland and her husband Ronny of Hennessey; son Allen Smith and his wife Jamie of Yukon; brother Alvin Smith of McLoud; and sister Emily Smith of Oklahoma City.

Additionally, he is survived by bonus children Christi Evans, Terri Schultz and husband Troy and Joe Evans, all of Canton; two grandchildren; seven bonus grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Johnnie Smith; and Ruby Smith, the mother of his children.