David A. Smith Jr.

David A. Smith a devoted family man, veteran, distinguished engineer, and avid outdoorsman, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Born to Bessie and David Smith Sr. on May 5, 1930. David grew up in Akron, graduating from Akron East High School in 1948. During high school David initiated his career of public service, joining the US Navy Reserves. David continued his education at the University of Akron, earning his Bachelors of Civil Engineering in 1954 and commissioning as an active duty Officer in the US Army Corps of Engineers. David's military service spanned 13 years across multiple positions in the Army Corps of Engineers and US Navy. Following his military service, David became an Ohio licensed Professional Engineer & Surveyor. His esteemed career included employment with the City of Akron Water Department, and as city of Akron Superintendent of Building Inspection, Director of Special Projects for city of Fairlawn overseeing the design and construction of City Hall and the Public Service Building, as well as various commercial engineering endeavors with Sun Oil, ARCO and Consolidated Foods. David's proudest professional accomplishment was his election as the President of Building Officials and Code Administrators International in 1993. He also served on the Ohio Board of Building Standards from 1993 to 2010 following appointment from multiple governors. Working until the age of 80, his lifelong commitment to the engineering profession is memorialized annually through the David A. Smith Jr. Award, presented to Ohio's best Building Department. David was an active member of various professional organizations, including the National Institute of Building Sciences, National Fire Protection Association, Underwriters Laboratories, the International Code Council, and Ducks Unlimited. David had a passion for the outdoors. He and best friend Bill Kautz, spent 50 years hunting waterfowl and upland birds across the Western Hemisphere. David and Bill were more like brothers than best friends. David was an avid golfer and enjoyed golfing with a close group of friends through last summer. David was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie and David Sr., his wife of 47 years, June (Fleming), his second wife, Barbara Addis, his sister Phyllis Bishop, and his great-grandson, Jesse Adkins. He is survived by his sister-in-law Rosemary Baker, loving children: David Smith III, Michael (Betty) Smith, April (Michael) Moore, and Kerri (Jeff) Thomas; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren. Through his marriage to Barbara, he is survived by her children, Craig (Carrie) Addis, Cindy (Gene) Emerick, Dana (Laura) Addis, and Brian Addis, along with 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. A celebration of Dave's life will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Campfield Hickman Collier Funeral Home, 566 W. Park Ave., Barberton, Ohio at 11 a.m. with Jim Gindlesberger officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m until time of his service. Burial to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations can be me made to Lakeview Christian Church, 4613 S. Main St., Akron, Ohio 44319
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