David Lamar Smith

David Lamar Smith, born in Bainbridge, Georgia on August 31, 1950 to Ralph “Buster” Smith and Evelyn Josey Smith, died June 4, 2026, in Mobile, Alabama after a lengthy illness. David served in the US Army. He was sent as a young 19-year-old to Vietnam. While in Vietnam he served as a combat medic with B Troop 2/17 Air Cavalry with the 101st Airborne. He received numerous medals and accommodations during his service including the Bronze Star with Valor. He served two (2) tours of duty in Alaska and was in the first graduating class of Respiratory Therapists in a joint venture with the Army and Baylor University. He was a Respiratory Therapist for forty-three (43) years and never said he was going to work – he always said “I’m going to save lives”.

David is preceded in death by his father, Ralph “Buster” Smith, his mother, Evelyn Josey Smith, his brother James Smith and former wife and mother of his children, Machelle Cook Smith.

David is survived by his wife of twenty four (24) years, Fran Jones Smith (Mobile, Alabama), and five children, his natural born children, Christopher Grady Smith (Alachua, Florida), Edna Elizabeth Smith Hester (Bryan) of Daphne, bonus children; his bonus children Heather Leah Rowley Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Cobey Russell Rowley (Angela) of Gallion, Alabama and Nathan Hall Bounds (Candace) Youngsville, Louisiana.

David is also survived by numerous other family members, first cousin Debra Donelson (David) of Bainbridge, GA and his brothers son, nephew Robert Smith (Macon, GA). He is also survived by sister-in-laws, Sherry Knight of Spring Hill, TN, Jennifer (Chuck) Hinton of Notasulga, Alabama, Annette (Jack) Dixon of Linden, Alabama and many friends.David was blessed with thirteen (13) grandchildren; Owen, Riley and Kelsea Steele; Cole Carpenter, Allison Carpenter and Sarah Goellner, William (Haleigh) Rowley, Hayley Rowley and Heath Rowley, Brynn, Bruce, Bryce and Briley Bounds. He was very proud of each and every one of his grands and loved spending time with them. May they hold dear memories of David and what he gave to their lives.

David loved classic cars and even built a 1932 Model T Bucket by himself. He was a former member of the local MoPar club and enjoyed attending car shows along the Gulf Coast. He enjoyed Mardi Gras and was a former member of two Mardi Gras groups in Mobile, Alabama.

After David retired, he and his wife Fran were able to go on a three year road trip traveling in their RV. He always wanted to return to Alaska and they spent the summer of 2014 traveling around Alaska. They visited many wonderful places – Key West, Outer Banks of North Carolina and the Black Hills of South Dakota. During their trips they met many people and made some wonderful friends. This three year journey brought him much happiness and he cherished the friendships made along the way.David loved the Lord and was a member of Creola Assembly of God and attended Christ United Church. He had a beautiful voice and sang in the choir and loved participating in the special drama productions.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ascension Funeral Home in Mobile, Alabama and Ivey Funeral Home in Bainbridge, GA. David will be interred at a private family ceremony with his family at the El Dorendo Baptist Church cemetery.

If friends would like to memorialize David, please consider a donation to the local animal shelter or a veteran’s group. You may also enjoy a Bushwacker in his honor as he loved them!

God answered many prayers for David during his illness and provided exceptional care and provisions. The family wants to THANK the Veterans Administration Homebound care program out of Mobile, Alabama; the Biloxi VA CLC RIO memory care unit, Gulfport Singing River Hospital and The Retreat in Mobile, Alabama for their wonderful care.