Donald H. "Don" Smith

Donald H. Smith of Glen Mills, PA known to many as Dad, Grandpa, UD, and Don passed away September 22, 2025, at the age of 91. He was a resident of Delaware County since 1967, working and raising a family that loved him and who he loved. Born in Waterloo, NY, he was raised on a farm. He graduated from Waterloo High School. He met the love of his life at age 16 at the movie theater in Geneva, NY. Don would go to College at SUNY Alfred, NY and achieved an associate's degree in Farm Power Machinery. At age 20, Don and Gladys would marry to the song "Too Young" and Don would join the US Army. He served in the 75 th Army Band, Fort Belvoir, VA for two years from 1955 to 1957 and then fulfilled his US Army Reserve commitment and was Honorably Discharged in December 1961. He was most proud of his time in the service. Later in life, Don proudly participated in Wreaths Across America from 2017 until 2024. Each year he participated in the laying of wreaths at the Paoli, PA battlefield.

After his active duty he began a career as a salesman for materials handling equipment, traveling the Northeast and Midatlantic states. For over thirty years his career provided for his growing family. Don loved music and played the trumpet and sang for his churches and other civic groups. He is most remembered for singing or playing the trumpet of "O Holy Night" at Media Presbyterian or Concord Liberty Presbyterian Christmas services. He learned to fly private planes from his friend and flying became a passion. He served as President of the Delaware County Aviation Association and President of the Experimental Aircraft Association chapter 76. Everyone in the family has a flying story with Don. He would take his family to Ocean City for day trips. He flew Jim Gaylord back to Colgate after Jim had hitch-hiked to see Vicki Jones at Wesley College in Dover DE. Fly-in breakfast trips were great adventures and over the years there are at least 50 pictures of the house on Hemlock Drive from the air.

In 1967, He and Gladys moved to Glen Mills, PA and began to raise a family. They picked this area to be close to Glady's brother Tom Jones. The Smith's would have 2 boys, and Jones' would have 4 boys and 2 girls. The extended family continues to this day to celebrate holidays and birthdays together. There is never a barbeque that somebody doesn't immortalize Don's warning "Don't run with your hamburger!" He was a family man, teaching Greg how to catch a baseball, teaching Chris the love and skill of music. Working as a team, he and Gladys provided for their sons to complete four-year degrees and Chris achieved a master's degree in fine arts. He rarely missed a sporting event, even arriving late with an open collar revealing his V-neck t-shirt and still wearing suit pants and wingtips.

While being a good Dad, he most cherished being a Grandpa. He was grandpa to Chloe, Kenna, and Phoebe. All three granddaughters have great memories of doughnuts with grandparents, Halloween parades, Gotcha Days, Birthday parties, high school graduations, and college graduations. Phoebe and He spent lots of time together as he picked her up daily from school and they would sneak off to Hank's for treats. Don came to many of Chloe's club soccer games and even, when on a walker, came to see her play in the summer WPS league. He always wanted to know about Kenna's internships at the University of Delaware and her career in business. As the family expanded, Uncle Don as the Jones call him, became a surrogate grandpa to the Jones' next generation. He became loved by 16 grand and great-grandnieces & nephews. The Smiths and Jones celebrated many events over the decades, and Don was always there.

When Don met Gladys at the Geneva movie theater they were both 16 years old. They would have a love that lasted 75 years and 71 of them married. They took on the uncertainty of being in the service and moving to VA from NY. They mourned the loss of two babies who passed away from SIDS in the hospital. They moved from VA to PA in 1967 and God blessed them with two boys. They bought a house on Hemlock Drive and made it a home. From the baseball field in the side yard, to the school bus stop on the corner, to the summer plates of PBJ and jugs of Kool-Aid left out for the neighborhood kids, it was the place to be. Don and Gladys liked to travel and vacation. Every year they would go to Ocean City, NJ and Geneva, NY. They loved St Martin and even weathered a hurricane once. Later in life they found peace and meaning while visiting the Gaylord's in Maine.

Don had faith in God and knew Jesus was his Lord and Saviour. In the late 70's he came to make a profession of faith, and he was an example of salt and light to people in his life. Sometimes he was loud and boisterous and even with a few curse words, but he knew he was forgiven and knew "where his help comes from". After ending formal church membership, he would say "I am dealing direct now". He "ran a great race" and surely, he has now heard Jesus say, "well done good and faithful servant".

Don is survived by his wife Gladys, two Sons Greg and Chris, three granddaughters Chloe, Kenna, and Phoebe and granddaughter-in-law Cassie Patterson. Also, survived by nieces Vickie Gaylord and Karen Plotts & nephews Jeff Jones and Mark Jones. There are also 7 grandnieces & nephews and 9 great-grandnieces & nephews.