David M. Smith

David Smith of Wentzville, Missouri joined our Lord in Heaven on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 with his family by his side. As with everything in his life, he fought hard, loved hard and prayed hard. Amidst the hurdles that presented themselves during his battle with multiple myeloma, he continued to have the greatest sense of humor and was still taking care of his “girls” with so much comfort and love.

Dave was born in March of 1948 in Albia, Iowa to Robert and Arlene Smith. Through his dad’s relocations through work, Springfield, Missouri would be the place he eventually called home. As the oldest of 3 children, Dave served as the best big brother to Danna and Bob.

In 1967 at Southwest Missouri State, he met a gorgeous blonde named Mary. A few short years later, he would marry her, and spend more than half of his life as the most loving and devoted husband a girl could ever ask for. 47 years to be exact. He was never one to make grand gestures, but more so sweet, heartfelt acts of kindness and service such as toilet paper love notes, maraschino cherries at Christmas, and helping Mary in whatever way he could, that tells the story of their relationship. He adored her. The way he loved Mary is the best example of how a husband can love his wife.

Fast forward a few years and his daughters Mandy and Jessie enter the picture. Dave was a dance dad before a dance dad was a ‘thing’, attending countless competitions and recitals in un air-conditioned buildings, shooting video and building dance stuff for the girls so they could practice at home. He loved scaring them, loved teasing them, loved taking care of them, loved loving them and was so proud of them. Dave was a provider for his family. In hard times, he swallowed his pride to ensure that his girls were taken care of. And, even in his final days, he was comforting his family.

As his Dad role continued while Mandy and Jessie grew up, Dave had the opportunity to serve as Sunday school teacher, youth sponsor, small group host and the go-to meet-for-coffee guy to countless teens and young adults at his church. Mr. Smith was his name here. If we could ask Dave right now about this part of his life and the truly profound impact he had on so many people, he would humbly say, “I was just being me…” and “all they needed was someone to listen…”. His willingness to be there, his patience to listen and understanding of what they were going through has shaped the lives of many, shown numerous how a God-fearing, family-man lives his life and also taught so many people what a solid handshake should feel like.

Over the past decade, Dave was able to experience immense amounts of joy. He traveled to the Dominican Republic where Mandy married her husband, Dave, he gained a step-grandson named DJ and became Papa to Joey. He witnessed Jessie marrying her husband Bryan, retired from the hardware store business and more.

Speaking of the hardware store business, the majority of Dave’s career was spent managing and merchandising hardware stores and serving as consultant to hardware store owners. It gave him the opportunity to travel to various parts of the country and he connected with so many people along the way. He could be halfway across the country and somehow manage to run into someone he knew from some part of his work life. Dave couldn’t go anywhere without that happening.

Simply put, Dave was an amazing man. He was a devoted husband, loving father and caring mentor, role model and friend. He gave gripping handshakes, the best hugs, had a smile that could light up a room and a servant’s heart. He positively impacted the lives of many and his legacy will live on in the lives of those who loved him for years to come.

Dave’s surviving family members are numerous, but mainly include:

Wife of 47 Years: Mary Smith

Father of 2 Children and their Husbands: Mandy and Dave Hicks & Jessie and Bryan Chall

Papa to Grandson Joseph Hicks

Step-Grandpa to DJ Hicks

Immediate Family Members: Danna and Richard McGinnis & Bob and Sarah Smith

In-Laws: Sally Kennedy & Tom and Laura Fry

Other Family Members: Aunt Lucille, Nieces and Nephews: Bobby McGinnis, Jennifer Snyder, Alicia Askew, Dawn Kennedy, Brian Kennedy, Tom Fry, Stephen Fry and their spouses, and many cousins, great nieces and great nephews.

Celebration of Life information for friends and family of Dave Smith: There will be a Celebration of Life service held at The Crossing-Mid Rivers, 6000 W Geneva Drive, O’Fallon, MO 63366.

Memorial donations can be made in Dave’s memory to Evelyn’s House, 1000 N Mason Rd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Beyond financial donations, Dave was always willing to listen when someone needed to talk. In Dave’s honor, take some time to reach out to someone who may need to be reached out to. Grab a cup of coffee, be there to listen, share God’s Love. You never know what kind of impact you can make.

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support in so many forms and from so many people. A wholehearted thank you to the staff at Evelyn’s House for their love, compassion and care, and to Dr. Patrick White, Dr. John Finnie, Dr. Jeffrey Craft and Dr. Andrew Kazdan for their support, dedication and unwavering medical attention.