Don Smallwood

1953 - 2022

SMALLWOOD - Don Smallwood peacefully went to be with the Lord on January 20, 2022 at the age of 68.
He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years Cinda R Smallwood whom Don often called, "heaven sent," his five children, Chad (Shannon) Smallwood, Courtney (Jamie) Nix, Cristen (Paul) Hardy, Ciara (Brent) Boate, and Cyle (Lelar) Smallwood and his fourteen grandchildren. He is also survived by his younger sister Susan Smallwood Wild.
Don was born on October 13, 1953, to Roy Edward and Joan Pryor Smallwood in Dehue, West Virginia, a humble coal mining community. Desiring a better life for his wife and children Don's father, Roy relocated the family to Kissimmee, Florida in 1960. Don attended grade school at Highlands Elementary where he formed several lifelong friendships. He graduated from Osceola High School in 1971 and was a proud Kowboy fan for life. Don graduated from FTU (UCF) in 1977 with his bachelor's degree and in the same year married his first love and wife of nine years, Cheryl Kemp. In 1981 Don earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Samford University at Cumberland school of Law in Birmingham, Alabama - the only time he lived outside of Osceola County as an adult.
Don wanted to continue the small-town life and moved his family back to Kissimmee, Florida and started working for the state attorney's office after law school. He then formed a law partnership with his friend Nick Kelly in 1982 and also began working for the City of Kissimmee. Shortly after Don found love again when he met Cinda, who Don claimed, "knocked him off his feet" they married in 1987. Don's passion for his community and family led him to transition from private practice to public service. He began his journey as the city attorney of Kissimmee in 1991 and proudly served his community for more than 30 years. Over Dons dedicated career he oversaw the drafting of 1,466 city ordinances that were adopted, in 2011 he was nominated President of The Florida Municipal Attorney Association which he considered a privilege and was awarded City Attorney of the Year in 2017.
Outside of work Don loved spending time with family and living life to the fullest. He was a man of faith, conviction, and strength who enjoyed listening and offering profound advice. He filled his time hunting with his eldest son, coaching his youngest son's football and baseball teams, running alongside his children at their cross-country meets, watching his daughters dance, swim, and cheer competitions, and attending local high school football games. He was always drumming on the dashboard to his favorite music and even secretly took drum lessons. He enjoyed his peaceful rides on his Harley, working on model trains, and fixing up and racing "The El Camino". He was proud of his West Virginia heritage, loved cheering on the Mountaineers and the Florida State Seminoles. Ballroom dance with his wife, being surrounded by his grandchildren, playing cards with his sister and cousin, Sunday matinees and Thursday night dinners with his dearest friends were just a few of the things Don cherished.
Don is preceded in death by his grandmother, Hilpa 'Nan' Pryor; his parents, Roy and Joan Smallwood; and his first wife, Cheryl Smallwood.
Don was a long-time member of the Orange Blossom Lodge No 80., F & A.M., Kissimmee; The Florida Bar; Kissimmee Elks Lodge #1873; DeMolay Florida, Osceola Chapter - Past Master Councilor, and awarded the Degree of Chevalier of the Order of DeMolay.
Flowers are welcome and if you would like to make a monetary gift in Don's honor please make donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation as Don was passionate about finding a cure for Parkinson's Disease. https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate/help-us-find-parkinsons-cure
The family received friends from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at Conrad & Thompson Funeral Home 511 Emmett St. Kissimmee, FL 34741.
Funeral services were held 11 a.m., on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at Cornerstone Family Church, 2925 Canoe Creek Rd. St. Cloud, FL., with the Reverend Nathan Blackwell of Cornerstone Family Church and Reverend Cathy Thacker of First United Methodist Church St. Cloud, FL., officiating.
The pallbearers were Jamie Nix, Brent Boate, Paul Hardy, Ren Taylor, Ray Icaza, Mark Longbrake, Joe Longbrake and JJ Nix. Private Family interment to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery Kissimmee, FL. Masonic Ritual at the graveside courtesy officers of Orange Blossom Lodge 80, F. & A.M. Kissimmee.
The Smallwood family was cared for by: Conrad & Thompson Funeral Home, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, Florida 34741; 407-847-3188.