Joe Clellan Smock, age 82, passed away December 13th, 2022 in Ponca City, OK from intestinal complications.

Joe was born July 17, 1940 in a small farmhouse in Cedar Vale, KS and graduated from Cedar Vale High School in 1958. Joe went onto Okmulgee Tech where he graduated with honors in Auto Mechanics. He met Ruth Mathis from Fairfax, OK and were married on June 21st 1959. They had two children, Debra Ruth and Donald Joe, and lived in Ponca City, OK. Joe and Ruth recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary before his passing.

Joe worked for Bowker Ford for 10 years where he became the #1 Ford technician in the region competing against 1,700 top mechanics and was “one of the seven most outstanding mechanics in the United States out of 45,000 registered technicians”. He later opened a filling station with mechanical service repair on N. 1st St. in Ponca City for 4 years then later opened Smock’s Auto Repair on 2nd St. & Cherry Ave. and was known as the “South Side Mayor”. Joe excelled and thrived in his mechanical work for 26 years but was cut short due to a shoulder injury he received at his shop and had to retire at the age of 63.

Joe was President of the Kildare School Board while Debra & Donald were in attendance. Joe and his family were members of Hartford Ave. Church of Christ where he later served as a Deacon.

Joe was an avid Texas Ranger Baseball fan enjoying season tickets from his son, Donald. Joe, Ruth, and Donald enjoyed many weekends at the ballpark and two World Series games. Joe enjoyed Black Friday sales with Debra, they would wake up at 3 am in preparation for the annual tradition.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Smock, sister Coene Edwards, and grandson Logan Beaston.

Joe is survived by his wife Ruth of 63 years; daughter, Debra Ruth, and his son Donald Joe, grandson Luke Beaston, and sister Charlene Koch.

Services will be held at Hartford Ave. church of Christ on Saturday, December 17th at 2 pm with Don Huddleston officiating. Burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1901 E Hubbard Rd., Ponca City. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Paid Obituary