Donald D. Smith

KITTERY, Maine — Donald Dean Smith, 80, of Meetinghouse Village, formerly a longtime resident of Philbrick Road in Kittery, died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, at York Hospital, following a period of declining health.

Born in Cary, Ohio, on July 10, 1927, he was a son of Clarence Delmar and Hazel Marie (Crawford) Smith. He attended local schools, graduating in 1947 from Findlay Senior High School after spending his junior year of school serving in the United States Navy. Don continued his service to his country as a member of the Navy Reserves and the United States Air Force.

Don is survived by his children, Muriel Joyce Brown and her husband, Dana, of Loudonville, Ohio; a son, Gary Paul Smith of Barberton, Ohio; grandchildren, Cassie Rhea Brown and Teanna Brielle Smith of Barberton, Ohio; sisters, Virginia Hards and her husband, Herbert, of Findlay, Ohio, Elaine Beach of Arlington, Ohio, Ruth Bryant of Findlay, Ohio, and Barbara McCoy of VanWert, Ohio; and 22 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Leila (Reynolds) Smith, and his sister, Nancy Beck.

WE REMEMBER: On Oct. 15, 1955, he married his loving wife, Leila (Reynolds) Smith, and together they made their home in Ohio for a short time. Later they moved to Kittery, where they made their home and raised their family for the next 46 years.

Don was a lifelong public servant; he worked for the Kittery Police Department for over 20 years as a patrolman, sergeant and detective. Following his years in Kittery, he was a member of the York County Sheriff's Department for many years, retiring in 1984 as a sergeant. During this time he received the Meritorious Service Award in 1967 for his actions and subsequent arrest of subjects during an armed robbery. He served as the past president of the Law Enforcement Association of Maine, York County Chapter of the Law Enforcement Association, past president of the York County Deputy Sheriff's Association and member and past King Lion of the Kittery Lion's Club, working in the organization in many capacities at the local and district level. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 56 in York, and Second Christian Congregational United Church of Christ in Kittery.

SERVICES: Friends may visit with his family from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Road, Kittery. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at his church, the Second Christian Congregational United Church of Christ, on Government Street in Kittery, with a time of refreshment and sharing to follow in the church parish hall. Online condolences may be made at www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers ,donations may be made in his memory to the Kittery Police Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program- D.A.R.E., C/O Kittery Police D.A.R.E. Program, 200 Rogers Road, Kittery, ME 03904. Arrangements are entrusted to the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home.