Donald Charles Smith, Sr. was born July 18, 1918 in McKees Rock, PA to Anna Koffler and Grover L. Smith and died March 18, 2015 in Tyler, TX. He is preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Sallie (Tay) Steed, a sister and a brother. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in chemical engineering and was employed by Gulf Oil for 37 years as a corrosion engineer. He served in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserve and had attained the rank of major at the time of his final discharge. He was involved in cultural, civic, and volunteer activities. These included the Port Arthur Little Theater, Community Concert Association, Lion's Club, Elks Lodge, and the Port Arthur Community Home Board. He is survived by a son, Donald Charles Smith, Jr. and wife Jane of Tyler; grandsons and wives, Matt Smith (Emily) of Denton, Sean Smith (Karla) of Houston, and J.D. Smith (Heather) of Columbia, MO; and great-grandchildren Tobin, Heidi and Lorelei Smith of Denton. He is also survived by a brother, Eugene Smith and wife Rose of Pittsburgh, PA, sister-in-law, Jim Steed Helduser Everett of College Station, TX and several nephews and nieces. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Friday, March 20, 2015 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. Services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. officiated by Fr. J.C. Coon, followed by burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Port Arthur Community Retirement Home or the Port Arthur Little Theater.
Condolences
Levingston Funeral Home
November 2, 2021
1 file added to the album Obituary Wall
Donald Charles Smith, Sr.
August 4, 2020
Donald Charles Smith, Sr.
Anonymous
May 2, 2015
Hello, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I know that Don and Tay were related to Wray Smith in Georgia, a cousin of mine. Does anyone know how to contact her nephew Earl Foster?
Anonymous
March 28, 2015
Sorry to hear about your loss. My mother and Don were cousins, I remember meeting him once or twice when we would go to Aunt Maude's for Christmas, he always said come to Texas and visit us but we never got there. I remember his grandchildren and Eugene's children they were younger than I was, but we all had a good time when we gathered there. He lived a good long life as did my mom. May he rest in peace.
Anonymous
March 21, 2015
Cousin Don & Family, May Gods Grace give you strength during this difficult time. Someone so special as Uncle Don can never be forgotten. Love, Roseann & Russ
Anonymous
March 21, 2015
To Don Smith's Family. We tried to make it to the service, but all streets are flooded in our neighborhood. We just want you to know that we shall always remember Don with love and appreciation. Don was dedicated to his family, his profession, his community (especially the arts), and his friends. In so many ways, he showed his love for others. Port Arthur and Groves will miss him, as we miss his beloved Tay.
Anonymous
March 20, 2015
DONALD C. SMITH: AN OFFICER, A GENTLEMAN, AND A MAN OF THE WORLD The extended family of Gene and Rose Smith offer our deepest sympathy to Don’s family and friends at this time of great loss. It was a privilege to visit with my Uncle Don, and he was an inspiring figure to everyone. In our minds, Uncle Don earned the distinction of being “An Officer, a Gentlemen, and a Man of the World.†Don always did the right thing and got the job done, but he added his own flair and style to make every effort memorable and enjoyable. While attending the University of Pittsburgh, he played trumpet in the Pitt Marching Band. During Don’s WW II Army deployment as an officer in the Coastal Artillery at Riverside California, his parents and brother Gene visited him several times, and rode in his red Ford convertible. Don and Tay spent several years in Iran, establishing the petroleum industry in that part of the world. In Texas, they became a deep-rooted part of the local community, and Don charmed his way into Texas culture as an enduring southern gentlemen. A main source of pride and joy is Don’s family in Texas. Don also kept in touch with his siblings and their families, attended the family reunions in Pittsburgh, and encouraged sustained interest in his father’s hometown of Rural Valley, PA. Don and Tay loved to travel all over the world. Tackling home improvement jobs at the family house in Pittsburgh was often incorporated into trips back home. Active in Texas social clubs and organizations, the local theater group was a source of delight to the entire town. While Don was never accused of excessive rehearsal or compulsive memorization of the script, his magnetic stage presence and sense of humor added to the success of every show. Don’s memory and legacy lives on in his family and friends all over the world, and now it is our turn to pass along his great American values, charm and wit through our journeys â€" wherever we may go. Don’s life was a life well lived!