(Age 64)
Slipped away peacefully August 19, 2016 at Deaconess Hospital with family and friends present. Don was born July 12, 1952 in St. Maries, ID to Donald W. Smith and Barbara A. Kile Smith. He grew up in Tekoa, WA where he graduated from Tekoa High School. Don graduated from Gonzaga University with a Bachelors General Studies in Education, 1997 and Masters of Arts in Computer Education, summa cum laude, 1999.
Don moved to Spokane after high school and worked at Inland Foundry from 1975-1990. He was involved in the Boy Scouts of America from 1981 to 2001. At the time of his death Don was employed at Tamarack Center in Spokane as the Education Coordinator where he worked with and helped numerous children through very difficult times in their lives. He embraced, encouraged, and guided his students to succeed. Teaching was his passion and he never lost hope with the children that he worked with.
Don was an avid and loyal fan of the Gonzaga Men’s Basketball team and the Seattle Seahawks. He loudly supported both teams regardless of how well they were doing.
Don loved to work hard and play hard. He was happiest spending time at the Lake with his wife Cheryl and his beloved dog, Simba, and surrounded by family and friends. In July, Don had the good fortune of attending the Smith family reunion that gathered family, cousins and two aunts, Virginia Lang and Barbara Hurilman, both of Oregon, at Heyburn State Park. It was a chance to reconnect and make memories for those now left to mourn the amazing life of Don Smith or Buddy as his family knew him. He was a skilled boater, fisherman, kayaker, builder, knot maker, tarp raiser, and mover of rocks. Don was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Of all of Don’s special talents the one that will be missed by many old and especially the young will be is his role as Santa Claus to family and friends every Christmas. He could spark the joy of Christmas in even the grumpiest of humbugs with a wink and a nod.
Don is survived by the love of his life, Cheryl Barkdull Smith, Spokane; sons, Anthony (Amy) Smith, Odenton, Maryland, Andrew Smith, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Don (Rachel) Smith III, Spokane; step-children, Nathan (Stacy) Barkdull, Justin, Texas and Scott Barkdull, Spokane; grandchildren, Tabatha, Trisha, Connor, AJ, Abigail, Michaela, Brooklyn, Kameron, Ethan, and Colten; great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Zhenai and Ava; siblings, Lucille (Wayne) Wood, Nampa, Idaho, Ken (Amber) Smith, Spokane, Julie Paulus, Edmonds and Edythe (Pat) Carroll, Kirkland; nieces and nephews David, Michael, Thomas, Stephanie, Alexandria, Jon, Jim, JJ, Jayne and Jenny.
He was preceded in death by his father Don Smith; mother Barbara Seaman; and step-father Vern (Bud) Seaman.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to SCRAPS (Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service) SCRAPS Hope Foundation, 6815 E Trent, Spokane Valley, WA 99212; SpokAnimal, designating the dog park, 710 N Napa Street, Spokane WA 99202; or Jeanne’s Doggie Daycare, 720 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99202.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, September 18, 2016 starting at noon at Rocky Point day shelter in Heyburn State Park, ID, with a BBQ potluck following. Please bring a dish to share with family and friends while we gather to celebrate the life and time that Don shared with so many. Hi Ho Uncle Buddy!
Arrangements under the direction of Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, Spokane, WA.
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