In the quiet community of Ponca City, Oklahoma, the lives of George Allen Smith, 82, and his wife, KaySue Kinkaid Smith, 80, came to a tragic end on July 20, 2018. The couple, who had been married for nearly six decades, were discovered deceased in a local cemetery, leaving the community in shock and searching for answers. The circumstances of their deaths, later determined to be from gunshot wounds, pointed to a somber and deeply personal conclusion.
George Allen Smith was born on
February 17, 1936, and was a longtime resident of Ponca City, where he was raised by his aunt and uncle. KaySue Kinkaid was born on October 18, 1937, in Tulsa. Their love story began at the University of Oklahoma, and they were married on August 15, 1959. Together, they built a life in Ponca City, raising two children, a daughter named Shannon and a son named Craig. Those who knew them described a vibrant and loving couple who shared a deep connection.
The investigation into their deaths was handled by the Kay County Sheriff's Department. While authorities did not release extensive details, the nature of the scene and the couple's history led to the conclusion that their deaths were the result of a murder-suicide. No other suspects were ever sought, and the case was closed with the understanding that this was a final, shared decision between the two. Their joint obituary poignantly stated that they 'left this world on July 20, 2018, the way they wanted, together.' This heartbreaking event left their family and the Ponca City community to mourn the loss of a couple who had been an integral part of the city's fabric for many years.
