CHARLESTON – Members of the House of Delegates are mourning the loss of Sergeant-At-Arms Emeritus Oce Smith, who passed away early today. “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,” House Speaker Tim 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.” House Majority Whip Mike Caputo of Marion County said, “Having served as the House of Delegates Sergeant-At-Arms for 45 years, Oce was a true Statehouse institution. But more importantly, to those of us who served alongside him, he was a treasured friend. “While health problems kept Oce away from the Legislature for the past several years, he loved to keep up with news from the Capitol, and to share stories from his colorful and fascinating career. He will be greatly missed.” House Majority Leader Harry Keith White noted that when Smith retired in 2012, the House leadership made arrangements with the Marion County Rescue Squad, Arbors Nursing Home and other community leaders for Smith to travel by ambulance to Charleston from Marion County. “He was so well respected by all members of the House, we adopted a resolution giving him the title of Sergeant-At-Arms Emeritus, and Governor Tomblin awarded him a Distinguished West Virginian certificate,” the Majority Leader said. “We wanted him to know how much we were saddened to see him leave, and how much we valued his knowledge and experience.”
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