Don Smith
June 15, 1935 to June 18, 2023
The family will receive friends for a visitation Tuesday, June 27, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. with a service to begin at 2:00 p.m. at New Hope Lutheran Church 1424 FM 1092 Missouri City, Texas 77459.
Donald Earl Smith went home to Jesus peacefully on Sunday, June 18, 2023.
Don was born to Earl and Helen Smith on June 15, 1935 in Arenzvelle, Illinois.
Don was a deeply spiritual man who dedicated his life to serving the Lord. He grew up in Illinois, and after working a few years out of high school, he enlisted in the Army National Guard. He was a Lieutenant in the 123rd Artillery, 33rd Infantry division. After his release from the Army, he attended college and eventually obtained his doctorate degree in education from the University of Illinois. He was married in 1958 and had 2 daughters.
Don was a pastor in Stanford, Illinois before moving his family to Texas in 1967. He was a pastor in League City, and then took a position at Gulf Coast Bible College, in the Houston Heights, as Academic Dean and Vice President.
In 1973, Don moved to Uvalde, Texas and began his career as professor of graduate courses in psychology and counseling for Sul Ross State University. After many significant educational contributions and accomplishments as an educator, Don retired from SRSU in 1998.
Not long after moving to Uvalde, Don got his pilot’s license, and would fly his plane to teach his classes in nearby Del Rio and Eagle Pass. He gained the nickname of “The Flying Professor”, and there was a newspaper article written about him in the Uvalde Leader News.
His many hobbies included hunting, fishing, reading and writing. He wrote and published 3 Christian novels and wrote numerous papers and publications in Christian counseling.
Don founded The Christian Counselors of Texas, Inc., an organization that supports and connects professional Christian counselors and therapists, ministers, and students involved in the mental health community in Texas.
Don retired in Brackettville, Texas, at Fort Clark Springs, and for several years, enjoyed spending summers in Colorado. When Don moved to Missouri City in 2014, he quickly settled into the community, getting involved in church, leading Bible study and meeting new friends.
Don had a great love for dogs, and he raised and bred Cocker Spaniels for several years. His last pet was an unexpedcted one, when he adopted an orphan kitten, who his granddaughter named Amber.
He was gifted with creativity and could make or build just about anything. Don had a light hearted humor, and a pleasant, warm demeanor, never meeting a stranger. His whole heart and soul was always centered on his faith, and he was truly a servant of God his whole life.
Don is predeceased by his wife of 35 years, Anita Smith.
He is survived by his brothers, Jim Smith and Jeff Smith; his previous wife, Dianne Smith and his daughters, Leslie Smith and Lisa Sue Bell, and grandchildren, Cole Warwick, Emily Wattenbarger and Thomas Wattenbarger. He is also survived by his loving girlfriend, of many years, Carolyn Poston.
We will all miss him dearly, and take comfort in knowing he is now in the loving arms of his heavenly Father.
If you would like to make a monetary donation in Don’s honor, please consider one of the following:
……………………………………..
Christian Counselors of Texas, Don Smith Scholarship Fund
Sul Ross State university
https://www.sulross.edu/giving/
The drop down says “area of greatest need” and it will be designated to the Psychology Dept.
New Hope Lutheran Church
https://onrealm.org/newhopelutheran/give/memorials
Southminster Presbyterian Church
2410 Brightwater
Missouri City, TX 77459
Arrangements have been entrusted to Claire Brothers Funeral Home, 7901 Hillcroft Street, Houston, Texas 77081.
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