Donald Walter Smith

Early Sunday morning, May 7, 2017 at Baptist Memorials, Donald W. Smith peacefully left this world to be with his Lord and Savior while surrounded by his family, who loved him dearly. Donald was born on February 9, 1930 in Browns Valley, Minnesota and on his 23rd birthday, he met The Love of His Life, Anne Nevolich. They married on October 9, 1954 and were blessed with six children. After graduating from Browns Valley High School, Donald enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Baker. After a short period of time, he changed his career path and joined the U.S. Air Force. During his nearly 24-years of service in direct support of the nation's critical Intelligence mission beginning during the Korean War, he was stationed at various overseas Intelligence agencies in the Republic of Korea, Greece, Japan, Turkey, as well as in the United States in Wyoming, New York, Washington, D.C., and Texas. Donald retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1973 at Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo Texas, and he continued supporting his country by working as a Civil Servant for 20 more years. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Anne of nearly 63 years, his daughter Dawn and her husband Steven Jones, daughter Ann and her husband Travis Ahlers, and daughter Laura Smith. Donald was blessed with four grandchildren, Justin and Lindsy Ahlers and their two children Addison and Ty, Jessica Smith and her son Ryder, Alisha and Robie Subia and their daughter Lily, and Jonathan Smith, all of San Angelo. He is also survived by his sisters Shirley and Debbie Smith of Minnesota, and sisters-in-law Catherine Schoenbauer of Minnesota and Francis and her husband Dennis Powers of Florida, in addition to many other close relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter Teresa, sons John and Craig, his parents, Helen Elrite Smith, his father Walter J. Smith, his step-mother Gladys Smith, his brother Kenneth Smith, Anne's parents Peter and Frances Nevolich and his brother-in-law Melvin Schoenbauer of Minnesota. Donald was active in his church and the community, and was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid woodworker, enjoyed gardening, and was undefeatable at most card and board games, particularly Pinochle. And even in his mid-80s, dealing with Alzheimer's, he was still quite the "pool shark". He could always bring a smile to one's face and would often express how he'd had a "pretty good life". Though his life was truly full of challenges, his love and devotion to his God and his family was evident in everything he did. Rosary and Mass will take place at Holy Angels at 10 a.m. on Friday, 12 May 2017. A private burial will occur at a later date at Calvary Cemetery, San Angelo with full military honors.