David Gene Smiley

Dave was a man who never met a stranger. He loved meeting people and putting them at ease with his sense of humor. Things he most enjoyed included: entertaining friends at home, taking friend and family out to eat, riding his pontoon boat on Bull Shoals Lake, playing a round of golf, hiking, going to a movie, taking his dog for a walk, and traveling in the RV. The last company Dave worked for as VP of sales allowed him to travel worldwide.

Dave passed away on August 13 from Alzheimer’s disease. He was born on July 3, 1941, eight minutes after his fraternal twin brother, Don.

When Dave was young, he loved playing baseball or softball with friends. He rode his bicycle everywhere, which included making deliveries for a neighborhood drugstore. He also threw newspapers for the KC Star when he was in middle school.

In 1959 he graduated from Paseo High School. In July, he joined the Marines with several of his friends and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. He served until he was discharged in May 1963.

Dave met his wife, Lanie, while working at the Kansas Power and Light Company. The first time Lanie saw Dave she knew he was the one. She had a mail clerk introduce them. It was two weeks after that introduction that they started dating. Lanie would wait for her ride on the corner across from the KCPL company, Dave would drive by in his Sprite convertible and they would wave. Finally, Lanie was walking to the bus stop when he asked if she needed a ride. After that they dated for 1 ½ years before getting married on January 8, 1966.

Dave attended Penn Valley Community College and UMKC. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He worked for the Department of Labor until 1971. Then his brother invited him to join him in Terra Alta, West Virginia, to sell recreational property. This was when Dave realized he had a knack for selling. After returning to Kansas City with his family, he worked for several telecommunications companies before transferring to Houston, Texas. While in Houston he honed his selling skills eventually becoming VP of sales for Simulation Sciences in Fullerton, CA. In 1994, Dave and Lanie moved to Theodosia, MO. There he joined his brother to become part-owner in a real estate firm, Sierra Ozark Corporation.

They sold their home in 2014 and began their life as full-time RVers. They lived in their RV until settling in Springfield, MO, in 2015. Traveling around in their RV and seeing different parts of the US, and visiting friends were some of Dave’s happiest moments. In 2016 they moved to Independence, MO.

Dave was a wonderful husband, father, and friend to all. He will always have a special place in our hearts.

Dave is survived by his wife, Lanie, his daughter Kristie who resides in Los Angeles, his brother Don Smiley and wife Connie of Theodosia, MO; his sister, Kathy Dickinson, and husband Dick of Lee’s Summit, MO, a brother-in-law, Mark Bright of Oklahoma City, OK, two nieces, and their families, and one nephew and his family, and many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Edna Smiley.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 13, 2021 at McGilley & Sheil Chapel, 11924 E. 47th St., KC, MO 64133 from 2-3pm, memorial service to follow from 3-4pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research, and One Community Hospice Care, Kansas City, MO 64139.