On January 5, 2015, Don Smith, a wonderful husband, father and friend passed suddenly. As sad as Don’s passing is to those who knew him, he left his family and friends with wonderful memories of a kind, warm, and generous man.
On June 28, 1944, Don Hugh Smith was born to Hugh Smith and Patricia (Eaton) Smith in Buena Vista, CO. Don spent his growing years in the mining town of Leadville, CO. After finishing his education, Don spent time in the United States Navy, followed by an assortment of jobs from mining to selling real estate in and around Denver, Colorado. In the mid-1980s, Don moved to Montana to work for the Department of Housing and Urban Renewal, retiring in 2007.
During those years, Don experienced a growing love for Montana. He was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, enjoyed biking, floating Montana’s beautiful rivers, and he learned to play golf. It was on the golf course that Donny met his future wife, Mary Graham.
Donny and Mary were married on Oct. 30, 2008. With this union, Donny became stepdad to Joslyn and Jeff Davidson, Susan Graham and Kelly Burgess, and Jimmy and Anna Graham. Donny also became a loving grandfather to Abbey Davidson, and Jaden, Bryce, Kalin and Blake Graham. Donny’s huge heart and ability to love those he cared about unconditionally was a tremendous gift to his golfing family and to Mary and the kids.
In addition to a passion for golf, Donny loved to travel and cook. He and Mary took many wonderful trips together, and the exceptional meals he cooked during the holidays were an expression of his love and the joy he felt in having a family around him. Donny’s passing has left his family and friends with wonderful memories, great sadness, but also feelings of tremendous fortune for having had the opportunity to love, and be loved in return by Donny.
Donny would not have wanted any tears or ceremonies for him, but his friends and family will celebrate having known him on a yet to be chosen date. Donny’s family would ask that anyone who wishes to honor Donny’s memory can do so through a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, c/o MT Supporting Soldiers, P.O. Box 4964 Helena, MT 59604.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday April 25, 2015
Red Fox Supper Club
4050 Fox Ridge Dr
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday April 25, 2015
Red Fox Supper Club
4050 Fox Ridge Dr
Helena, Montana 59602
Allen Stenhjem Family says
Mary, Our thoughts and Prayers are with you and yours during this trying time, Don was the guy the next up ,we will miss him, Play Thur Donnie, God Bless ……….
Allen and Glenda
Kevin Cyndi and Kinda stenhjem says
Our prayers are with you Mary Don was one hell of a man : hit em straight buddy god bless gone a miss him
Louise Creel McChesney says
Don worked at HUD with my father Dale Creel and he was a friend of our family for a long time. I loved his sense of humor and he was always so fun to be around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thomas Netschert says
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Mary. Always looked forward to seeing him on my visits and will be missed. Hit em Long and Straight Don !
Tommy Boy
Jim & CJ Murtha says
We’ll greatly miss Don and his great sense of humor. The Fox Ridge Tuesday Golf gang has lost one of it’s long time players. May he hit his drives long and straight and finally record an “ace”. Thoughts and prayers for Mary. RIP, Don!
Larry & Sharon says
We will miss Donny and his quick, dry whit. He was a very nice man and a great neighbor. Golf day will not be the same, hope you can come out and join us sometime. Our thoughts are with you….
Brian Ahern says
Dn worked with my brother in law and spent much time wih the Dale Creel family. I knew Don quite well and spent some time floating the rivers and fishing with Don until he moved to the golf course. He was a good guy.
Marty and Gretchen Heller says
Dear Mary,
Please accept are most sincere condolences on Don’s passing. He was always so pleasant
To be around and we know that you will miss him very much as will all of his Foxridge Friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time
Blessings
Marty and Gretchen Heller
Doug Creel says
Don was a friend of my dad’s (Dale) and our family for many years and I have fond memories of his joking and laughing during his countless visits. Both Dale and Lucile enjoyed his company and I know appreciated and valued his friendship. I am saddened that he is gone .
Matt & Mary Kunnary says
Dearest Mary – We are so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He will be greatly missed such a fun man to be around. If there is anything that Matt & I could help you with please let us know. Tuesday golf will not be the same. God Bless him. M&M
Moe and Nan Wheatley says
Dear Mary.. Moe and I are so sorry about Don. As you know we always loved golfing with you two. You are in our prayers and thoughts . If there is anything we can do, please give us a call. We will surely miss Don. Take care of you, hope to see you soon. Moe and Nan
Lorraine Brewer says
Mary, our family (the Creels) is truly blessed to have had Don in our lives. We have countless good memories to carry with us…. I especially remember Don’s version of the stories about the numerous floating and fishing trips that he went on with Dad (Dale), mom (Lucile), and often times, Dennis. I spent a couple of days on the Snake River in Idaho with him, Mom, Dad, and Doug in the early 1990s. When we were ready to launch on that first day, I opened my fly rod case and found no fly rod of all things. Don handed me his fly rod, pretended it was an extra one, and insisted I take it. That’s how he was. He would roll his eyes and poke fun at you one minute and give you the shirt off of his back the next. Words cannot express how much we appreciated his gentle support, humor, and overall presence during the loss of Mom and Dad, and all those family gatherings he was a part of all those years before. We loved Don like our own family and will miss him dearly. Our hearts go out to you during this time.
Mike Fromm says
Mary,I can think of no words to express how sorry I was to hear of Don’s passing. I truly enjoyed playing with Don & you. He was a truly great friend and so much fun to be around. He will be missed.
Mike
Fred and Judy Bakke says
Don was a good friend and golf buddy to Fred. Don will be missed by many. God bless him and his family.
Jeff taylor says
Bums me out that donny passed. It seems like I just got done building him his dream shower yesterday. He was one of a kind and so was his wife. Really enjoyed getting to know him and I guess that golfing we talked about doing together will have to wait for awhile. Luv and prayers from the Taylor family!
Steve and Christi Pilcher says
Mary and family, we are so saddened to learn of your loss! Don was a great guy, a gentle man, and a wonderful companion for you all. You are on our minds and in our prayers.
Bill and Wilda McGraw says
Mary and family: We are so sorry for your loss. May your memories of Donny and the times you shared help you find peace. “What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us”–(Helen Keller)
Larry & Eileen Holman says
Mary,
So sorry to hear about Don. He was always kind and shared a smile and laughter with us and so many others. When we would see him on the golf course we knew several people were having fun. He will be greatly missed. Our prayer is that God’s love will comfort and bless you during this sad time.
Larry & Eileen Holman
Evelyn Kohl LaTorre says
Mary, my deepest sympathy goes out to you. How fortunate you were to have Don in your life, though it was too brief.
Crystal Wong Shors says
I worked on the Helena Habitat for Humanity Board with Don. He was one of those quiet, humble do-ers who just does whatever needs doing and does it so well. I am glad to have known him and I’ll remember him fondly.