Douglas J. Smalley

Douglas James Smalley formally of Mt. Holly passed away Friday September 26, 2025, at Harmony Village Jackson, NJ. He was born August 22, 1942, in Pawling, NY and was 83 years old. Douglas life took him to many places. He worked at a radio station in Mt. Kisco, NY. He joined the United States Air Force right out of high school on July 20. 1961. After basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. Which he was trained in the field of Food Service. He was stationed at many bases to include Pease AFB, NH, Thailand, Plattsburgh AFB, NY where he met and married his second wife Elizabeth. He serviced his country proudly in Pleiku, Vietnam. Then returning to Lackland AFB, went on to Whiteman AFB, MO and then back to Lackland AFB where he spent a year as a Military Training Instructor, ending his career at Zweiberken AFB in Germany upon serving 21 years. He was honorably discharged on July 31, 1982. Living in Von Ormy, TX. Doug started his second part of his life working at a dinner theatre owned by actor, Earl Holloman. Worked on the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico as a cook and opened The Buzzin' Bee Daycare Center. Where his wife and him were affectionally called Grandma and Grandpa. He moved to Browns Mills, NJ to be next to his family whose husband was serving at McGuire AFB. Douglas started his jewelry business U Name It on a cart at the Main Exchange at McGuire AFB. Where he created hand twisted gold wire with your name, also, had a cart during the holiday season at The Gallery Mall in Philadelphia He further went on to open a jewelry repair shop where he employed Greg and Lucille, and finally opened Smalley's Donuts on Ft. Dix, NJ that served breakfast and lunch. Douglas finished his career as a bus driver for handicapped children for Carvan Bus Service. Douglas also, joined several military organizations, which he was a lifetime member of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans). "Tunnel RATS" (In the underground battlefields of Vietnam) and AMVETS. Where often his daughters' Patti and Judi would help selling "Forget Me Not" flowers and help with the Spaghetti dinner fund raiser. Doug and Liz traveled for a few years in a motor home. They made a lot of long-lasting friends especially Donald Dunn, who they knew for over 30 years from his years in the military and their travels. He was a great and loving father to all his daughters, grandpa and great grandpa to his grandchildren. Taking them fishing, camping, and taking them on all kinds of wild and crazy adventures. Doug and Liz visited their daughter, Michelle, husband Michael and Sharon their granddaughter in Florida. Douglas was preceded in death by his father Towner J., mother Irene J. Smalley, his first wife Linda and his second loving wife Elizabeth L. Smalley, of 50 years, his brother Roy and wife Laura, sister Lavinia and her husband Joe Bellusci, Janet Donoughe (husband Ed not deceased) and his daughter Judi Lynn Oliver. (James F. Nixon not deceased). Douglas is survived by his daughters Michelle C. and husband Michael A. Buckridge, of Homosassa Fla, Patricia A. and her husband Ronald L. Pudlo of Browns Mills, NJ; four grandchildren Christopher D. Oliver of Browns Mills, NJ, Jennifer L. Schulze and her husband Jim of Willingboro, NJ, Philip J. Oliver of Crystal River Fla and Sharon L. Morgan of Homosassa Fla and one great-granddaughter Tessa M. Oliver and fiancé Alan Williams of Mt. Laurel, NJ. Douglas also survived by his sister Patty Campano (Robert deceased) of Fla. And numerous nieces and nephews. Interment in Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery will be held at a later date.