Daryal B. Smith

Daryal Brucell Smith, age 76, of Las Vegas, Nevada passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

Daryal Brucell Smith was born on December 27, 1947, to Josephus Brucell Smith and Marylene Lincoln Smith, in Detroit Michigan. He was the first of two children, Daryal and Gayle, that Josephus had been praying for all his adult life. He was a happy little boy with eyes that twinkled when he smiled, just like his mom. On his first airplane ride after the death of his father in 1949, he declared that when he grew up, “he was going to fly the plane.”

Daryal was a bright child who excelled academically and athletically in school. In high school, he was captain of the swim team which eventually led to receiving a swimming scholarship to Tennessee State University where he majored in Aeronautical Engineering. Upon graduation, he received his first lieutenant’s commission into the United States Air Force and married his college sweetheart, Hattie Elroy Reynolds. After serving 10 years in the Air Force he was honorably discharged with the rank of captain.

He continued living his dream of being in the cockpit as an airline captain for United Airlines and later retired after more than 20 years as a commercial pilot.

Daryal was also committed to and beloved by his family. With no children of their own, Daryal and Ellie welcomed Ellie’s niece Ieisha Gray into their home after her sister Jean became too ill to care for the child.

Daryal loved to have a good time and was always the life of the party. A true renaissance man, he loved to travel, play tennis and was an avid collector of music and art. He also loved photography and was always behind the camera (which is why we don't have many pictures of him).

Daryal is remembered and cherished by his daughter, Ieisha Gray; his sisters, Gayle Orr-Smith, Brenda Germain and Cherylene Jackson; nieces Danielle Trimiew, Ariel Germain, Alexsys Pullen, Madilyn Sims, grandniece, Olivia Trimiew; nephews Jason Trimiew, Charles Sims; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A visitation for Daryal will be held Friday, August 9, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Palm Cheyenne Mortuary, 7400 W Cheyenne Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89129. A funeral service will occur Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 7400 W Cheyenne Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89129. A reception will occur Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 7400 W Cheyenne Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89129.

A visitation for Daryal will be held Friday, August 9, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Palm Cheyenne Mortuary, 7400 W Cheyenne Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89129. A funeral service will occur Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 7400 W Cheyenne Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89129. A reception will occur Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 7400 W Cheyenne Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89129.