David Allan Smith, 78 years old, passed away on Saturday, June 29th, at his home in Canyon Lake, Texas with his family by his side. Dave was born March 23, 1946, in Port Arthur, Texas to Ivan and Lois Smith.
He was the first born of two sons. When he was two years old, the family moved to Swell, New Jersey and moved again when he was ten years old to Anacortes, Washington. Following high school graduation, the family moved back to Port Arthur, and Dave enrolled at Stephen F. Austin State University. After two years of college, Dave enlisted in the US Air Force and became a Crew Chief for an F4 airplane in Colorado Springs, CO. Shortly after meeting his soon to be wife, Shirley, Dave was transferred to Ramstein Airbase in Germany. When his Air Force duty was complete, Dave and Shirley moved back to Port Arthur/Groves, Texas. Dave worked for Huntsman Chemical for 37 years in the Boiler House and Central Control. At retirement, they moved to Canyon Lake. Dave was an amazing father to his two children, Rashelle Ann "Shelle" and Troy Allan. He was a loving husband and a super grandfather. He was lovingly nicknamed "Poppy" by his five grandchildren. Dave’s legacy will always be cherished by his children and grandchildren. Dave liked fishing, vacation cruises, winning at Pinochle, driving his Corvettes, and barbecuing with family and friends. He enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys and the Fightin' Texas Aggies. Dave attended St. Thomas Catholic Church with his wife, Shirley.
Dave is survived by his loving wife, Shirley; son, Troy; daughter-in-law, Claudia; son-in-law, Kevin Butschek; five grandchildren, Weston Allan and Greyson Levi Smith, Svitlana Ann, Kateryna Kate and Nikolas Butschek; his brother, Raymond "Ray" Smith; Ray's wife, Eva; nieces, Shari and Victoria; Victoria's husband Nolan Sadorfs; great-nephews, Evan and Everett. Dave was preceded in death by his daughter, Shelle Butschek and parents, Ivan and Lois Smith.
Honorary Pallbearers are Troy Smith, Kevin Butschek, Ray Smith, Frank Piletere, Roland Bieber, Lee Kinder, David Heidt, and Ian Martin.
A visitation for David will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Zoeller Funeral Home, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM, officiated by Father Dennis Jarzombek. The burial will occur Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 10:15 AM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78209.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David's honor, to Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church of Canyon Lake, TX, Mission of Divine Mercy in Canyon Lake, or Texas Corvette Association for St. Jude's Ranch Children Hospital of Texas.
