Donald Smith

On Tuesday, July 7, 2020, Don Smith, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at his home in Aurora, Colorado, at age 71.

Don was born February 25, 1949, to Delva and Wilma (Blake) Smith in McCook, Nebraska. He attended McCook Public Schools and McCook Community College. In 1966 he joined the Army and, upon discharge, served in the Nebraska National Guard. He graduated from the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center and the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy. His career in law enforcement included the McCook Police Department; Undersheriff of Gunnison County, Colorado; and Chief Deputy of Hitchcock, County. He retired from law enforcement in 1994.

On March 1, 1969, he married the late Carolyn Luke Sanderson. The couple raised three sons, Gerald; Delva; and Don, Jr.; and one daughter, Judi. On November 14, 1998, he married Karen Davis.

Don had a passion for people and spent his life serving others. He loved animals and nature and cherished time spent in the great outdoors hunting, fishing, and camping with family and friends. He was a skilled marksman in the Army and in law enforcement. He worked well with his hands and enjoyed woodworking and repairing and refurbishing antiques. He will be remembered for his wit, sense of humor, infectious smile, and kind and compassionate spirit.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Delva and Wilma; wife, Carolyn; infant brother, Delva; and sisters, Geraldine Smith Gonzales; Maxine Smith Meissner; and Arlene Smith Gillen. He is survived by his wife, Karen, of Aurora, Colorado; children, Jerry Smith (wife Nancy) of Lincoln; Judi Smith of McCook; Delva Smith (wife Kelly) of DeWitt; and Don Smith, Jr., of Aurora, Colorado; eight grandchildren, Tyler (wife Brenda); Jeydon; Connor (wife Megan); Alexandra (husband, John Clouse); Cooper; Dominic; Maddox; and McKenzie; four great-grandchildren, Roran; Felix; Ryland; and Briggs Clouse; and a host of family and friends.

Memorials may be made in Don's name to Herring House, c/o Providence St. Mary's Foundation, P. O. Box 1477, Walla Walla, Washington 99362 (please note "Herring House" on your donation); the Gary Sinise Foundation, P. O. Box 368, Woodland Hills, CA 91365, or garysinisefoundation.org; and Wild Horse/Burro Protection in Colorado, c/o The Cloud Foundation, 107 S. 7th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80905, or TheCloudFoundation.org.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and concerns, details of Don's celebration of life service in McCook are pending. The family will announce details at a later time.