Funeral services for Charles "Oscar" Smith, age 100, of Bison, SD will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church in Bison. Pastor Florence Hoff will officiate with burial at the Bison Cemetery.


Charles Oscar Smith was born July 12, 1911 to Charles H. and Mabel (Heckman) Smith in the sod house on the family farm southwest of Bison, SD. He attended school at Bison, graduating from the 8th grade in 1926. Oscar completed grade 10 at Bison High School. After passing the military physical for WW2, he was allowed to stay at home on the family farm because both his brothers were already serving.


Oscar was an avid sports fan, especially baseball. He played locally in his younger years. Oscar rarely missed a MLB game on television. If the TV wasn't working, it needed to be fixed ASAP. He was a true fan of his favorite team, the New York Yankees.


Oscar enjoyed playing cards, gardening, dancing, reading the area newspapers and discussing the articles. He had a big bright smile, an infectious laugh and wonderful sense of humor, but was not afraid to state his opinion. He attended services at the First Presbyterian Church in Bison and served as treasurer for Bison Township for 30 years. Oscar was a very caring and generous man, often donating to charities, organizations, and local 'good causes', most recently the Bison Clinic.


Also known for his culinary skills, Oscar enjoyed cooking and baking. Visitors were invited to 'come in' for lunch. He always had some treat made up, usually cake, pie or some other type of dessert. Oscar continued to cook his meals until moving into the home in Hettinger.


Oscar was the sole survivor of the Smith Family. He was the third generation to farm and ranch on the family homestead along Smith Creek. He was very proud of the herd of Black Angus cows he raised. Oscar continued living on the farm even after retiring and leasing the land. In June of 2006, he moved to Homestead Heights in Bison and sold the farm. Oscar then moved to the Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger in May of 2010.


Oscar passed away January 31, 2012 at Hettinger, ND at the age of 100 years, 6 months and 19 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mabel, brothers, Archie and Stanley, sister, Florence MacArthur and grandparents John and Maria Smith.


A memorial has been established to the Bison Ambulance.