North Central West Virginia Airport Director Rick Rock remembers a phone call he had with long-time Benedum Airport Authority member Oce Smith just a few months ago. Smith, who has been in assisted living, was a member of the Authority for at least 35 years.

 

“We talked about the airport and how far it has come. He told me he remembered that they used to have to call special meetings to fix the lawnmower,” said Rock fondly recalling his friend. “He was good to this airport and he was a public servant in every sense of the word. Today, I’m sad to have to say goodbye to my friend.”

 

Through a press release from the West Virginia House of Delegates, it was confirmed that Smith passed away earlier today. Smith was also the Sergeant-At-Arms Emeritus for the House of Delegates. He served in that capacity for 45 years. He retired from that position in 2012.

 

Locally, however, he was known for his decades of service the Airport Authority, the NCWV Airport’s governing body. Rock said to the best of his knowledge Smith served since the 1970s and officials there weren’t sure if Smith or current member Robert “Buck” Thompson has served longer.

 

“He was there when I came on board 12 years ago,” said current Authority President Ron Watson. “From that time – and I know he was in Charleston for what seems like forever – he was involved in public service. He served here faithfully until medical problems led him to need to be taken care of through assisted living.”

 

Smith served on the Authority as an appointment by the Marion County Commission. The airport is jointly owned by Harrison and Marion counties. The Marion County Commissioners have left Smith’s seat intact after he fell ill. When asked if he thought it was due to the Marion County Commissioner’s respect for Smith’s service, Watson said “absolutely.”

Watson said that Smith’s benefit was that he knew the political climate of West Virginia. That trait, Watson said, served the airport well.

 

“He brought to the table a common sense approach to the decision making that took place, but his strong suit was that he knew the political arena,” said Watson. “He knew the pulse of the sitting Legislature for decades. There was a big value to the boards I’ve served on and I certainly imagine the boards long before I arrived.”

Prior to Rock’s role as the airport director, he served as treasurer. He said he sat beside Smith at meetings for nearly a dozen years in that capacity.

 

“He served the airport faithfully because he knew of its importance and it meant a lot to him,” said Rock. “I think as everyone moves forward, they should be eternally grateful for his contributions to what is taking place up here.”

 

Speaker of the House Tim Miley also had words of praise for the long-time House of Delegates official.

 

“Oce Smith brought to the House of Delegates his vast knowledge of the legislative process gained from a public service career that spanned five decades,” Miley said. “We will miss him tremendously, and our hearts go out to his family and the residents of Marion County, who I know greatly respected him.”

 

Editor's Note: Photo of House Chamber by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com. Photo of Oce Smith courtesy of the West Virginia Legislature.