David Theron Smith

David Theron Smith, 69, of Southport, North Carolina, passed away suddenly on Sunday, September 13th, 2020. David was born on August 15th, 1951 in Harrisburg, PA, grew up in Ohio and New Jersey, graduated from Millburn, NJ High School, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communications from Boston University and Syracuse University. David was a sailor, sea kayaker, horseback rider, photographer, and naturalist. He was also a marathon runner, his 11th and final race being on Pikes Peak at age 50. After a successful career in risk management, he and his wife Catherine retired to Southport, which they promptly left, setting sail for the keys on their 43 ft Hunter sloop, Carolina. David kept a blog of reflections on his life and travels. It is still available to view at theseasonsofmyfear.com. An excerpt from his writings allows him to speak for himself. He was on a walk when he died. "I recommend that you forget all else and engage in regular walkabouts alone...reflect, appreciate, go outside, look around, look up, look down. Observe your footprints in the earth. Breath in. Get dirty. Wonder at the flight of a butterfly, and not just for you, but for your children. Teach your children and teach them well, to love the earth, to gaze at the heavens, to appreciate the smell of low tide, to feel the winds, enjoy a walk in the rain, and to create their own walkabouts outside in nature." Survivors include his mother, Judith Smith formerly of Yarmouth Port, MA, now of Wilmington, NC, his brother and sister in law, Peter and Ilene Smith of Old Bridge, NJ, his wife Catherine Smith of Southport, NC, and his daughter, Elizabeth Catherine Smith of Southport, NC. David was preceded in death by his sister, Deborah Kuhns of Wilmington, NC and his father, Laforest C. Smith of Yarmouth Port, MA. David will be missed by all who loved and knew him. In accordance with his wishes, David will be cremated and ultimately scattered at a later date by family during a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com. Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.