David Edward Smith

David Edward Smith, local singer, songwriter, musician and photographer passed away on May 6, 2014 at a local hospital. He died of a broken heart at the age of 63. He is preceded in death by his father, Hosea Edward Smith. He is survived by his only child, Keaton Edward Smith, whom he loved dearly. Also, surviving him are his beloved mother, Hazel Smith of Baytown; sisters Karen Cooper and husband, Bo, of Meterie, LA, Wanda Little and husband, Les, of Broken Arrow, OK, and Frances Howey and husband, Frank, of Springfield, MO; nephews, Kevin Little and wife, Amy and Adam Howey and wife, Sarah; nieces, Jenny Foster and husband, Sean, Mandi Little, Cadee Teaford and husband, Darrin and Erin Howey; great nephews, Ty Teaford and Cooper Foster; great-nieces, Tatum Teaford and Madison, Macy and Marley Foster.

David grew up in Highlands, TX where he rode bicycles and played Little League baseball. He always loved music, but not enough to give up Little League. While attending Highlands Jr. High, in 1964 he inherited a Silverstone acoustic guitar from his sister, Karen, and taught himself how to play. He also joined the choirs at Highlands Jr. High and the Highland First Baptist Church and sang in many such coral groups throughout his school years. He also loved the dramatic arts and acted in several stage productions at Sterling High School. He sang in a local band called ""The Mint"" for a while and graduated from Sterling in 1968. After high school he attended Lee College for a couple of years, sang, danced and acted in all productions, starring in in a few; let his hair grow, played guitar, and wrote songs. In 1970 he moved to Houston and started his first professional career with ""Brand X"", for which he received some notoriety in the surrounding areas of Houston, Austin, Tyler and all points in between. He played electric bass and sang for 7 years in every low place honky tonk and high profile country club imaginable, with several bands and many musicians. He played until he burned out in 1977.

Shortly thereafter he went to work for Fluor Engineers and Constructors as a mechanical draftsman and started his second professional career. He worked for several oil related corporations and manufacturing services in the Houston and Southwest Texas area. Drafting came naturally to the artistic soul and it was a great way to pass the time and earn an honest living. He worked hard for his money and loved the work, responsibility and pride that came with it. David could not believe the obscene amounts of money people would pay him for his services and loved the idea of a weekly paycheck. He introduced a few curious friends to the art of drafting. Several followed him into that line of work and became happily successful themselves. After the oil business dried up and he was laid off in the early 90's, David moved back to Baytown, picked up his old bass guitar and started playing music again. He became known to his friends as ""Davo"".

Although no longer believing in the pipe dream of becoming a ""star"", he had a great time playing with many old friends who found themselves in the same boat. No job and too much time on their hands, with the urge to ""put the band back together"" and dreams of playing music again. Most had wives and grown children, by then. David had neither. Always a loner. Always unsettled.

For the last 14 years of his life David considered himself retired and dedicated every waking moment to his son, Keaton, who was born in 1999. He enjoyed more than anything being with his son. Playing with him, watching him learn and grow up and thinking of ways to get more time with him. Despite a failing heart, he battled fiercely with family court attempting to obtain as much visitation time with his son as was legally possible. Still, this amounted to only 30 % of the boy's life and weighed heavily on David's soul. Everyone who knew David knew that if Keaton was coming over for the night or for the weekend, David would be with him. Every ""Keaton Moment"" was spent with Keaton. He loved being Dad. When Keaton was not there, David enjoyed keeping his ""chops"" up by karaoking with new friends at various venues, mostly in Baytown. He always took singing seriously and deeply admired others who did. David lived his life to the very fullest despite the hardships, real or imagined, that were thrown his way. He loved his music, his son, his family and his friends. He loved his ladies, his characters, and his audience. He loved good humor and laughter. He thanked God daily for allowing him the privilege and extreme pleasure of walking on the face of this earth and tried to bring a smile to the faces of everyone who crossed his path. Not always successful, but who ever is?

The Family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 10, 2014, at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the funeral home with burial following a Cedarcrest Cemetery.

""Hello. Farewell. Hello. Farewell.

Eternally Connected. Eternally embracing.

Hello. Farewell.""

B.P.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in David's name to a charity of one's choice.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, (281) 422-8111.