David A. "Dave" Smith Jr.

David A. Smith, Jr. passed away peacefully on August 3, 2025 in his home in Melbourne Florida, surrounded by his family.

Dave was born March 2, 1944 to his parents David and Irene Smith in Bastrop, Texas. The family moved to Maryland when Dave was a small child.

He met the love of his life, Mary Marguerite (Marge) Richards in Hampstead, Maryland and they married after just a few months. August 11, 2025 would have been their 63rd wedding anniversary! Dave and Marge had one son, David Lee, born in 1970.

Dave aka "Pop", lived the majority of his life in Maryland, with Marge in their Halethorpe home. He is survived by Marge, their son David and his wife Karen, and their sons Troy and Garrett.

Dave owned and operated a Nationwide Insurance Agency for many years, as with anything he did, he worked hard. He knew everything he could know about insurance and he included family in his business, both Marge and David worked with him in the agency; he retired in 2019.

Dave loved baseball, ice hockey, and football. For many years and several different organizations, he coached baseball including for his son David and both grandsons. There are countless men and boys in Arbutus and Ellicott City that benefitted from his vast knowledge of baseball and the coaching he did. He had a way with the players; over the years we watched him coach and encourage countless players many of whom kept in touch with him and were still communicating with him until he passed away. He helped in ways that had nothing to do with baseball, he provided support and encouragement and what his family called "life lessons". He was always prepared with a handkerchief – he would walk to the pitcher's mound to talk to a young pitcher who was frustrated, a gentle hand on the shoulder, an encouraging word and his handkerchief to dry the tears sometimes shed. He had a way of providing calm reassurance and always seemed to be able to talk them through the frustration.

If Dave could help, he did; he loved providing guidance and support, and once you were his friend you could always count on him. He helped countless people in so many ways over the years, from coaching to teaching people to drive, to encouraging musical ability or sports ability, not only in his grandsons, but in young people he met over the years.

He attended countless baseball, ice hockey games and music lessons for his grandsons, traveling out of state, long drives, early mornings, late nights, no matter what he was there. He never missed an opportunity to see them play or perform, he was so proud of them and loved them so much.

Dave also loved music and dancing! He and Marge spent many nights out dancing with their friends, he loved old rock n roll and bluegrass! They loved traveling around to different places to listen to his favorite bands/performers. In their travels they developed a tremendous group of wonderful friends who have remained a part of their lives and will continue to support Marge. Dave had a great record collection that he was very proud of.

In 2022 the family moved to Melbourne, Florida. As they had in Maryland, Dave and Marge made fast friends through their love of music. Dave enjoyed the warm weather, the sunshine and embraced the adventure of living in a new place!

Dave will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He cherished the time he had with the love of his life Marge, he called her his "bride" even after so many years of marriage. Marge's comfort and happiness was his priority always, his love for her was evident and they enjoyed a long, happy life together traveling, enjoying food and music and the company of family and friends.

He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his son, daughter-in-law and grandsons. He loved sharing time with them, making new memories and reminiscing about old memories.