Douglas Arnold Smarte

Douglas Arnold Smarte, age 78, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2026 at the Adler Center for Caring in Aldie, Virginia. Doug was born in Milford, Delaware to parents Arnold Darrell Smarte and Thelma Lee Larrimore (Smith). He grew up in Seaford, Delaware and graduated from Seaford High School.

He met wife Lynn at Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College), where he earned a BA in Psychology. He later earned an MSW at Virginia Commonwealth University.

He served in the Army in Army Family Services, and in Vietnam as an artillery officer. His career included more than 14 years at Arlington County Virginia Social Services, and Director of the DC Chapter of the National Association of Power Engineers (NAPE), and the NAPE Education Foundation.

Doug is survived by his wife, Lynn Coleman Smarte, his children, Christopher Lee Smarte and Caitlin, and Thuy Nguyen and James as well as grandchildren, Amelia Marie Smarte and Benjamin Henning Smarte, and Nina Autumn Lucas.

Doug loved spending time with family and friends and their children, the beach, mountain biking, kayaking, gardening, and travel. He also loved and was a servant leader at Foundry United Methodist Church. Two of his His favorite quotes were “Be a little braver,” and “His grace is enough for me.”

A funeral service will be held at Foundry United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 26.

Donations may be made to Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th St. NW, Washington DC 20035, www.foundryumc.org, The Chesapeake Conservancy, Earl Conservation Center, 1212 West Street, Annapolis,Maryland, 21401, www.chesapeakeconservancy.org; or a charity of your choice.