Ernest Duane Smith, Sr., Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, retired, age 83. Ernest passed peacefully from this life in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family on August 30, 2018. For over 60 years Ernest lived what is now considered history of law enforcement in the State of Oklahoma. He left behind for those collecting and confirming facts many dates, names, sharing, recalling and identifying photos to complete and define the history of law enforcement in the State of Oklahoma. He began his lifelong career first, by spending the summer of his junior year as a page for a member of the State House of Representatives. Then two weeks after graduating from Pawnee High School in May 1953, he left for Washington, D.C. to begin training and work as a fingerprint examiner at the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of then Director J. Edgar Hoover. He returned to Oklahoma in 1955, as a fingerprint expert working for the division of identification then known as the Department of Public Safety, now widely known as the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. In 1958 he was selected to return to Washington, D.C. to be trained as a forensic document examiner at the United States Secret Service to fill the position his mentor Bob Travis was vacating upon retirement. During his years as a fingerprint expert then as a Forensic Document Expert, Ernest traveled statewide working with city, county and state; law enforcement, attorneys and judges. Ernest testified in over 6,000 cases representing the State of Oklahoma and Federal Courts, many of which were high profile and nationally recognized. Ernest also testified in the Oklahoma State District Courts (appointed as the court expert), all Federal District Courts in Oklahoma (appointed as the courts expert), federal courts in Texas and Missouri, Oklahoma Military Courts, Texas Military Courts, Oklahoma Criminal Court of Appeals, as well as the California Superior Courts. Ernest testified in the board of hearings for state agencies including the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy, the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing, the Oklahoma State Insurance Commission and the Oklahoma Bar Association. Through the years, Ernest received numerous achievements and awards and commendations. He was a 26-year member of the Oklahoma Sherriffs and Peace Officers Association as well as the past president, charter member and lifetime member of the Oklahoma Division of the International Association of Forensic Document Examiners. Ernest was known and respected by law enforcement officers, attorneys and judges for his expertise, honesty and integrity, so much so, that his reputation required him to be called to work throughout Oklahoma and surrounding states. His colleagues, which includes state attorney generals and governors, remained his close friends. Throughout his professional career, Ernest never lost sight of his most important role which was the role of loving husband and father. He worked tirelessly providing for his family - his greatest passion. Throughout his life he had a deep passion for the meaning of family. Many who met Ernest would say he was never loud and would never brag, always being very reserved of his many accomplishments. In retirement Ernest loved spending time with his family during holiday gatherings and cookouts. He enjoyed sitting on the patio and watching wildlife visit his feeder, especially Cardinals, Bluebirds and squirrels. Ernest truly enjoyed being a source of family laughter and was Ernest was born April 13, 1935 in Santa Paula, California at the home of his beloved Aunt and Uncle, Eulah L and Everett Hughes. He was the first born and only son of five children born to W.J. and Wilma Smith. Ernest was blessed in this life with his wife of sixty-two years, Jeanette, his devoted sons, Ernie D. Smith, Jr. and Steven Eric Smith and wife Shanna, his favorite daughter in law; sister in laws, Lurley Holt and DeAn Mitchell, the brother in laws he considered the brothers he never had, Lance Mitchell and Don Holt (deceased), sisters Marilyn Fryer, Donna Porterfield, Peggy Morgan and Cheryl Rowbotham. The family is truly grateful to his long time and recent caregivers, friends and neighbors who loyally supported him during the past 16 years in his battle with Parkinsons Disease. Services will be held at the Mercer Adams Funeral Chapel, 3925 N Asbury Ave, Bethany, OK on Wednesday, September 5th at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Pawnee, Oklahoma at Highland Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Funeral Service Mercer-Adams Chapel Wednesday, September 05, 2018 10:30 AM 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008