Verlyn Blake Smiley, 86, of Madill Oklahoma passed away September 23, 2025. He was born July 6, 1939 at home on the family farm east of Madill Oklahoma to Oscar Raymond and Mamie Alma Smiley. He was the eleventh child of fourteen siblings. He attended school at Archard Elementary then Madill Jr, and Sr. High, graduating in May of 1958. He then moved to Durant Oklahoma to attend Southeastern State College on an athletic scholarship, playing football and running track and lettering in both. It was at SSC that he met the love of his life, Linda Eugenia Reynolds and the two were married in May of 1961. Blake and Linda both graduated with Bachelor degrees in education and also earned Masters degrees in the same. Blake went to work teaching and coaching his first year at Atoka schools. Then was hired as an assistant coach at Marietta schools where he stayed for ten years. Then his dream job became available and he went to work at Madill High School in 1973 where he stayed until retirement in 1993. He served as head football and track coach and athletic director during his time in Madill. In his time away from work he enjoyed growing a vegetable garden, Quail hunting, golf, raising cattle, and traveling the United States camping with friends and family, as well as all family gatherings.

He is survived by:

Wife: Linda of Madill

Children: Eric and wife Heather of Durant

Stephanie and husband John Eargle of Arlington, TX

Grandchildren: Nathaniel and his wife Casey of Perry, Oklahoma; Tapley of Durant

Sisters: Mona and Suellen, and brother Mike

Many nieces and nephews.

Blake was preceded in death by his parents, brothers James, Mervyn, Bill, and Pat, and by sisters Joyce, Eloise, Estelle, Latrelle, June and Joann.

Casket Bearers: Thomas Byers, Matthew Brown, Mark Cummings, Brian Bates, Mitchell Bates, Wesley Cade, Timothy Gustafson, Jeff Smiley, Scott Smiley, Chris Smiley, Michael Ray, David Ray, and family friend Mike Muncrief.