In Memory Of
David E. Smith
1941
2020
David E. Smith
January 2, 1941 — December 11, 2020
David E. Smith, 79, of Olathe, KS, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2020, at the Hospice House of Olathe. David fought a hard and valiant battle against pancreatic cancer. At a date to be determined (once it is safe for public gatherings), the family plans to hold a graveside service at Resurrection Cemetery, 8321 Quivira Rd, Lenexa, KS.
David was born January 2, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska. During his childhood years, the family relocated to Taylor County Iowa where they began to farm and raise dairy cattle. He graduated from Conway High School in Conway, Iowa, in 1959. After graduation, he married Karen K. Brown of Conway, IA, in September of 1960. They had two children and moved from Iowa to Nebraska where they lived a number of years in the Lincoln and Omaha areas. In 1971, they relocated to the Kansas City area where they settled in Shawnee, KS, before moving to Olathe in 2011.
David is preceded in death by his mother and father, Raymond Hiram Smith and Mary Alice (Manning) Smith; his loving wife of 57 years, Karen K. (Brown) Smith; and sister Dorothy (Smith) Barbara. He is survived by two children and their spouses, David Douglas Smith (Janine) of Olathe, KS, and Laura Leigh Henderson (David) of Grandview, MO; six siblings, Mary Baker of Bedford, IA; Gerri Reed (Bob) of Tower City, PA; Sharon Burgmaier (Gordon) of Bedford, IA; Darlene Smith of Omaha, NE; Vera Fisher of Omaha, NE; and Rosalie Smith of Tampa FL. Known lovingly as Grandpa, David was richly blessed with eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren all of whom he knew well and deeply loved.
David enjoyed a long and successful career in the automotive industry as an executive with Chrysler and Volvo corporations, and later in his career for Kia Motors and others. After retiring, he enjoyed spending time traveling the country in an RV with his wife, Karen. Together, they were able to see and experience many wonderful and beautiful destinations across the country. David was an avid enthusiast for any type of history, and one of their most memorable trips was to follow the exact route of the Louis and Clark Expedition all the way to Oregon. Ultimately, they settled in Donna, TX, where they spent every winter season with a close community of family and friends, until Karen's passing in 2017. At his home in Olathe, David was involved in his neighborhood community where he developed many deep and meaningful friendships. He really enjoyed spending mornings at coffee, organizing outings for lunch and dinner, pot-luck suppers, driveway socials, etc. He loved his Asbury family and was grateful for their constant support, care and prayers through the years. David also had a deep love and passion for motorcycling riding and was a member of several riding and touring clubs. Riding his Yamaha V Star was something he absolutely loved to do and it brought him great joy.
David was involved in his grandchildren's lives and if ever in need, they knew their grandfather was there to support, encourage, and help. As they could, the grandchildren all helped with his care through the months' long battle with cancer and he was able to spend treasured and precious time with each of them. In the years after the passing of his wife, David also had very special, deep and loving friendship with Mary Ann Mustain. They enjoyed attending Blue Valley Baptist Church, participating in Bible studies, sharing time with the Asbury coffee group, dining out, motorcycle riding, watching TV and movies together (particularly westerns), among other things. The family is immeasurably grateful for her great love, care, and unwavering support of David in the last several years and through his cancer battle.
David leaves a legacy of strength, fight and perseverance. He had a rich and wonderful sense of humor that endeared him to all. His family and friends loved him for his willingness to always help in a time of need. We rest in the assurance that he is in the presence of God's infinite love this day…and forever more. He will always be near in our hearts.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Olathe Hospice House or to a cancer foundation of your choice.
To leave a message of condolence for David's family or to share a special memory of David, please visit the guestbook below.
David was born January 2, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska. During his childhood years, the family relocated to Taylor County Iowa where they began to farm and raise dairy cattle. He graduated from Conway High School in Conway, Iowa, in 1959. After graduation, he married Karen K. Brown of Conway, IA, in September of 1960. They had two children and moved from Iowa to Nebraska where they lived a number of years in the Lincoln and Omaha areas. In 1971, they relocated to the Kansas City area where they settled in Shawnee, KS, before moving to Olathe in 2011.
David is preceded in death by his mother and father, Raymond Hiram Smith and Mary Alice (Manning) Smith; his loving wife of 57 years, Karen K. (Brown) Smith; and sister Dorothy (Smith) Barbara. He is survived by two children and their spouses, David Douglas Smith (Janine) of Olathe, KS, and Laura Leigh Henderson (David) of Grandview, MO; six siblings, Mary Baker of Bedford, IA; Gerri Reed (Bob) of Tower City, PA; Sharon Burgmaier (Gordon) of Bedford, IA; Darlene Smith of Omaha, NE; Vera Fisher of Omaha, NE; and Rosalie Smith of Tampa FL. Known lovingly as Grandpa, David was richly blessed with eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren all of whom he knew well and deeply loved.
David enjoyed a long and successful career in the automotive industry as an executive with Chrysler and Volvo corporations, and later in his career for Kia Motors and others. After retiring, he enjoyed spending time traveling the country in an RV with his wife, Karen. Together, they were able to see and experience many wonderful and beautiful destinations across the country. David was an avid enthusiast for any type of history, and one of their most memorable trips was to follow the exact route of the Louis and Clark Expedition all the way to Oregon. Ultimately, they settled in Donna, TX, where they spent every winter season with a close community of family and friends, until Karen's passing in 2017. At his home in Olathe, David was involved in his neighborhood community where he developed many deep and meaningful friendships. He really enjoyed spending mornings at coffee, organizing outings for lunch and dinner, pot-luck suppers, driveway socials, etc. He loved his Asbury family and was grateful for their constant support, care and prayers through the years. David also had a deep love and passion for motorcycling riding and was a member of several riding and touring clubs. Riding his Yamaha V Star was something he absolutely loved to do and it brought him great joy.
David was involved in his grandchildren's lives and if ever in need, they knew their grandfather was there to support, encourage, and help. As they could, the grandchildren all helped with his care through the months' long battle with cancer and he was able to spend treasured and precious time with each of them. In the years after the passing of his wife, David also had very special, deep and loving friendship with Mary Ann Mustain. They enjoyed attending Blue Valley Baptist Church, participating in Bible studies, sharing time with the Asbury coffee group, dining out, motorcycle riding, watching TV and movies together (particularly westerns), among other things. The family is immeasurably grateful for her great love, care, and unwavering support of David in the last several years and through his cancer battle.
David leaves a legacy of strength, fight and perseverance. He had a rich and wonderful sense of humor that endeared him to all. His family and friends loved him for his willingness to always help in a time of need. We rest in the assurance that he is in the presence of God's infinite love this day…and forever more. He will always be near in our hearts.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Olathe Hospice House or to a cancer foundation of your choice.
To leave a message of condolence for David's family or to share a special memory of David, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David E. Smith, please visit our flower store.
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