David Smitherman

David graduated from Bird High School in Shreveport, LA in 1956. He attended Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge, LA, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity and led the rifle company for the LSU JROTC. He earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1961 and was immediately commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. He graduated first in his class from fixed wing tactical training then received his first post at Fort Ord. He spent time as a test pilot in fighter jets and as a personal transport pilot for US Army leadership. While still serving, he met and married Nancy (Naylor) Smitherman. Soon thereafter, he completed his service in the Army and was honorably discharged as a Captain.

In 1965 David and Nancy moved to Dallas, Texas, where he worked in the Government Products Division of Texas Instruments as a team member in the Standard Missile Program and the Laser Guided Bomb Program. They moved back to Baton Rouge in 1968, and he worked at Naylor Industries. He also enjoyed being a flight instructor on the side, during which he realized his passion was flying. He decided he wanted to become involved in the aviation business so moved into flight operations and airplane sales. During his tenure at Louisiana Aircraft, he sold Piper airplanes and became Distribution Sales Manager for the southeast region of the US. In 1991 he was promoted to Vice President and General Manager of LA Aircraft. During that time, he served on the ExxonMobil Avitat Council. In 2005 he was integral in the Hurricane Katrina efforts operating in and out of Baton Rouge. ExxonMobil honored LA Aircraft for “maintaining 24/7 fueling operations to support local and regional emergency response activities.” Under his leadership, LA Aircraft earned 8 Premier Spirit Awards from ExxonMobil as a top fixed base operation. He worked at LA Aircraft until 2007 when the company was bought out. He could not stay retired, so he consulted on the development and establishment of Baton Rouge Jet Center, where he also worked in aviation sales.

When not at the airport, David could often be found on the Baton Rouge Country Club golf course with his regular Saturday morning group or at Lake Rosemound in Saint Francisville, LA, where he taught his daughters and all their friends how to water ski. He was a great girl dad. Throughout their childhood, David attended many sporting events, dance performances, and musical productions. His love for his girls was evident in all he did. As grandchildren were introduced into the family, his love and joy for family only grew wider and stronger. He enjoyed spending time on the lake, grilling, riding on four wheelers, and telling lots of stories and punny jokes.

In 1974 David met Donald Tabb at the Chapel on the Campus which was still in its early years at the LSU Law School building. Quickly thereafter, he and Nancy joined the church and became involved in Sunday school and small group Bible studies. They hosted a weekly Chapel Refuge Leadership group as well as participated in the Chapel’s Adopt-a-Tiger program. He served as a mentor for students from a variety of backgrounds and countries. Most recently, he joined Haslitt’s Posse and met on Wednesdays for lunch to enjoy Christian fellowship with other godly men. The past few years they have also enjoyed fellowshipping with the Maestri’s small group Bible study and the Body Builders Sunday School class.

David is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy (Naylor) Smitherman of Baton Rouge, LA; daughters, Leslie (Smitherman) Milton of St. Francisville, LA, Sarah (Smitherman) Pratt of Waco, TX, and Rachel (Smitherman) Plank (Timothy Plank) of Boerne, TX; grandchildren, Aimee, David, Carissa, and James Milton, Emily, Ashlyn, and Meredith Plank, Taylor Pratt and Victoria Pratt; and brother, Charles Smitherman of Clear Lake, TX.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Hannah (Swanson) Smitherman; father, Cornelius Boyd Smitherman; brothers, Swanson Smitherman and Harold Smitherman; and sons-in-law, Clifford Milton and Christopher Pratt.

A visitation for David will be held on Sunday, February 16 from 6 PM to 8 PM at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA. A Celebration of Life Service will follow on Monday, February 17 at 11 AM at the Chapel on the Campus, 3355 Dalrymple Dr, Baton Rouge, LA, officiated by Pastor Kevin McKee. Friends and family are welcome to join a reception at the church immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Care Ministry or the Refuge College Ministry at the Chapel on the Campus.