Donald H. Smith, a devoted husband, loving father, playful grandfather, longtime resident of Yoakum, TX, and current resident of Dallas, TX, passed away at age 73 on February 18, 2011. Don was born in Nuremberg, PA, on June 20, 1937, to William Edgar and Mable Pearl Smith. Don attended Nuremberg High School, where he enjoyed his friends and playing basketball. He married Elsie Roberta Oliver (Bobbie) on June 7, 1958. Don graduated from East Stroudsburg State College the following year and then attended Pennsylvania State University where he earned both a master’s degree (1962) and a Ph.D. degree in plant pathology in 1966. His three children, Donna, Debbie, and Scot, were born during that time.
He began his career with a teaching fellowship at Albion College in Michigan. He then accepted an assistant professor position in Griffin, GA, with the University of Georgia. Don and his family moved to Yoakum, TX, when he was hired by Texas A&M University in 1973 to work as a full professor at the Texas Agriculture Experiment Station until his retirement in 1990. Following retirement, Don, with his wife Bobbie, moved to Hyderabad, India, to work with ICRASAT from 1990 to 1992. Upon returning to the United States they settled in Dallas and were active members of Our Savior Lutheran Church. Don Smith will be forever remembered for his friendly and helpful nature, his volunteerism, many enjoyable years working with the American Peanut Research and Education Society (APRES), his character and highest integrity, his intellect and love of words, his passion for travel as he visited all seven continents, and his devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Don is survived by his wife, Bobbie, who currently resides in Dallas; his three children, Donna Faircloth of New York City, Debbie Wolf of Greenwich, CT, and Scot Smith of Dallas, TX; his five grandchildren (Isabella, Madeline, Evan, Sarah, and Matthew); and his sister Lucy Lundin in Pennsylvania. A funeral service and memorial was held on February 23 at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Memorial gifts in remembrance of Don Smith may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 411 N Town East Blvd., Mesquite, TX 75150 U.S.A.
