Partner in 4-H Award

Orlean and Shane Smith met at the University of Oklahoma in 1989 with bachelors of business administration in management and finance, respectively.

After graduation, Orlean and Shane took on the world. Orlean took a position as a production manager with Wrangler’s Men’s Wear and Shane took a position with a bank.

After marrying in 1990, Shane worked as a loan officer in Norman for approximately a year. The couple then moved to Crowder, Oklahoma in 1992 with the opportunity to operate Canadian Valley Telephone, which is owned by Orlean’s parents.

Canadian Valley Telephone is a three-generation, family-owned business in rural Oklahoma. Orlean is the president and general manager, while Shane handles all in-house accounting. Along with this business, they run a small cow-calf operation.

The Smiths are strong supporters of the Crowder and Canadian communities. They regularly support Crowder and Canadian Public Schools and Lakewood Christian School in McAlester.

Orlean has been incredibly involved in the Oklahoma community, serving in leadership roles within the Lake Eufaula Association Board, the Pittsburg County E911 Board, the Pittsburg County Economic Development Authority, the Lakewood Christian School Board, the McAlester Boys and Girls Club Board, and volunteers to coach baseball, basketball and soccer.

Shane has also been extremely involved in her Oklahoma community. A Tri Delta alumna, she has been involved with McAlester Business, McAlester Professional Women’s Organization, and McAlester Beta Alpha. She was a larger contributor to the Lakewood Christian School PTSA program and was active in McAlester’s WyldLife Ministry as a member of the YoungLife committee.

Orlean was very involved in 4-H while growing up in Crowder in Pittsburg County. He competed in 4-H Dress Revue, showed cattle and completed other project work such as woodworking, fruits and vegetables. He was able to travel to Washington D.C. and Kansas City, along with attending district leadership conferences, 4-H camps, and State 4-H Roundup.

The Smiths established the Orlean and Shane Smith Endowment Fund through the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, which has led to three gracious scholarships allowing 4-H members to pursue their dreams of attending college and acquiring a higher education, said Milford H. Jenkins, Oklahoma 4-H Foundation executive director.

“One can only be inspired and moved by Orlean and Shane’s selfless passion for helping 4-H youth at the state and county level,” Jenkins said.

Their charitable gift also increased the existing Charles and Betty Smith Endowment Fund.

“4-H experience is something that cannot be replaced; it’s invaluable,” Orlean said.