Hiram Randolph Smith

Hiram R. Smith was born on September 8, 1936 in Pawnee, Oklahoma to Andy Krow Smith and Mae Pratt Smith. He passed from this life on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 in his home in Pawnee, Oklahoma, having reached the age of 76 years, 3 months and 25 days. He attended Pawnee Indian Boarding School where he played sports, and went on to graduate from Pawnee High School with the Class of 1954, and lettered in football. After high school, he joined the US Marine Corps, stationed in Camp Pendleton, and was sent to Okinawa, Japan. He later attended former Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma and studied accounting. Hiram moved to Arizona and was working in Phoenix, Arizona when he met and married Yvonne Quamahongnewa of Second Mesa, Arizona. They made their home in Chandler, Arizona for a while, before moving to Second Mesa. An accountant, Hiram worked for the Hopi Tribe and the Hopi Child Center in Second Mesa. Sometime in the mid-70's, he returned to school at Macalaster College in St. Paul, Minnesota to study accounting, and where, at a late age, he played intramural baseball. On returning to Second Mesa, Hiram went to work for the BIA in Keams Canyon, Arizona. He returned to Pawnee after his father passed away and worked a short time for the Pawnee Tribe and later served on the Pawnee tribal council. Hiram then worked at WorldPress (Quebecor), Stillwater, Oklahoma, from where he retired. During his retirement he joined the Pawnee County Historical Society, and served on the Board of Directors. He was a good brother, and for many years, picked up his late sister, Geraldine, and drove her to and from work. On hearing about his passing, people said that Hiram was friendly, was a good conversationsalist, was a fun customer at White's and Pawnee Casino, liked to tease, and always made people smile. Hiram was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and attended games whenever possible, traveling to Chicago and even to Phoenix, Arizona when they played the Cardinals. When Cubs announcer Harry Carey passed away, this devoted fan took time off to stay home and mourn the great announcer and watch the funeral. When the Cubs played, the world stopped, and his bosses knew Hiram would be home watching the games. Hiram is survived by his daughter, Gladys Mae (Dwayne) Lomayestewa, step-daughter, Jessica Quamahongnewa, and former spouse, Yvonne Quamahongnewa, all of Second Mesa, Arizona. The other loves of his life were his grandchildren, Deyonna, Daniel and Randi Ellie, and great-grandson Hunter. He is survived by his sister, Bertha Harder, Claremore, Oklahoma, and one brother, Robert L. Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a host of other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Bertha Pratt Shooter; parents Andy and Mae Smith; sister, Geraldine L. Howell, brothers Andy K. Smith, Jr., Harry Smith, and sister, Marcella Lyons. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the Pawnee Nation Roam Chief Event Center, Pawnee, Oklahoma with Rev. Lynn Eaves officiating. Hiram's wish was to be cremated and his ashes will be scattered at his parents' old homeplace, Coal Creek, north of Pawnee.