Cleve "Dewayne" Smith

Cleve Dewayne Smith, age 62, of Benton, Arkansas, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, October 6, 2023. Dewayne was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Cleve F. Smith and Naomi Erna Smith, but grew up in Tucson, Arizona. After graduation, his family returned to Byrant, and he attended college at Southern Arkansas University. He joined the United States Marine Corps where he made many lifelong friends and gained experience in aviation. When he returned home, he worked at the same facility at the Little Rock Airport for his entire career. The company was sold and names were changed several times before the company was ultimately purchased by Central Flying Service. He started as an aircraft mechanic and worked his way up to Director of Maintenance before retiring.

Dewayne met the love of his life, Diane Smith, in 1984, and they were married on February 19, 1985. They moved to Orange County, California, where Dewayne was stationed. Dewayne and Diane had two children, Brian Cleve Smith and Shawn Michael Smith. Dewayne was very involved in their activities and was a Cub Scout Leader, Future Panther football coach, and spent numerous hours at their football and basketball games. Summers were spent camping and pulling the boys around the lake on tubes. While Brian and Shawn were at Angie Grant Elementary School, Dewayne led a team of Cub Scout leaders and parents in leveling the playground and building some playground equipment. In addition, he was actively involved in building the Cub Scout floats for the Benton fair parade. His best design was the snowmobile globe.

Although Dewayne thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Brian and Shawn, he treasured the time he got to spend with his four grandchildren. Dewayne was a devoted husband, father, papaw, and uncle and was loved greatly by his many family members and friends.

Dewayne was a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Bryant and enjoyed spending time with his life group friends.

Dewayne was a jack-of-all trades, was creative and quite talented, and could do pretty much anything he set out to do. He enjoyed fishing, wood carving, drawing, making teddy bears and other animals for his grandchildren, and even took up upholstery in the last few years.

Dewayne will always be remembered as a good man who would do anything for his family and friends. We could not have had a better husband, parent, grandparent, sibling, or uncle. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

Dewayne is survived by his wife, Diane Smith; his two children, Brian (Lindsey) Smith and Shawn Smith, his grandchildren, Axel Smith, Gracee Smith, Jaxon Smith, and Jemma Smith; his sister, JoAnne Williams; his brothers, Eddie Bomar, Eddie Smith, and Raymond Smith; and lots of cousins and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cleve and Erna Smith.

Memorials may be made to CHI St. Vincent Foundation (CCU-CVICU), 2 St. Vincent Circle, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. Special thanks to Drs. Borg, Chakka, Waqas, and Patel and the Heart Failure Team from St. Vincent Heart Clinic and the many other doctors and nurses in CCU and CVICU. We could not have had a more compassionate and caring group of people caring for Dewayne. St. Vincent has a truly amazing heart team.

A visitation for Dewayne will be held Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Pinecrest Funeral Home, 7401 HIGHWAY 5 N, ALEXANDER, Arkansas 72002, followed by a memorial celebration of life at 7:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pinecrestfh.com for the Smith family.