David Leland Smith was born on January 17, 1945, in West Plains, Missouri, and passed away on November 7, 2016, in West Plains, Missouri, at the age of 71.
He is survived by his son Jeff Smith and Jeff’s mother, Jackie Shelton of West Plains, Missouri; one sister, Janet Womack and husband, Jerry of West Plains, Missouri; two brothers, Dale Smith and wife, Carolyn of West Plains, Missouri, and Danny Smith and wife, Alice of West Plains, Missouri; three grandchildren, Shelby Smith, Karsyn Smith, and Sawyer Smith of West Plains, Missouri; niece, Frankie Harrill-Jones and husband, David of West Plains, Missouri; nephew, Scott Womack of West Plains, Missouri; niece, Angie Holloway and husband, Jason of West Plains, Missouri; nephew, Greg Smith and wife, Kim of Ozark, Missouri; niece, Melissa Wiehe and husband, Kurt of West Plains, Missouri; nephew, Stace Smith and wife, Mindy of West Plains, Missouri; nephew, Garach Smith and wife, Kristen of Columbia, Missouri; several great nieces and nephews; close family friends, Teresa McDaniel and son Ryan McDaniel of West Plains, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Dave and Effie Roberson, paternal grandparents Horace Harrison “H.H.” and Myrtle Smith, parents Frank Leland and Lottie Marie Smith, and niece Carrie Womack.
David attended school in his early years at Howell Valley and graduated from West Plains High School in 1963. He worked 38 years for the Missouri Department of Agriculture as a Market News Reporter; reporting the local markets on the radio.
David loved sports and was a St. Louis Cardinal fan. He also enjoyed local high school sports; especially when Shelby, Karsyn, and Sawyer were playing.
David’s favorite pastime was working with horses. He had many over the years, and found that the Missouri Foxtrotter was his favorite. He trained and showed them all around Missouri and Arkansas. He has a box full of ribbons and garlands from these shows. Training horses that had never been worked with and teaching them “manners” satisfied him the most.
David will be truly missed by friends and family, but rest assured he’s still horsin’ around
Donations can be made to Riverways Hospice or Shaw Treatment Center in his name.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in West Plains.
Visitation will be held on Friday evening, November 11, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains.
Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, West Plains, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.
November 9, 2016 @ 9:58 am
Our hugs & hearts are with you. So many great things to say, we can’t even begin to… Love that man.
November 9, 2016 @ 10:48 am
Was so sorry to hear about David’s death. I did not know he was sick. I’m so glad we got to come to west plains before Bob died and see everyone. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all. Carol
November 9, 2016 @ 11:21 am
Jeff & family, So sorry for your loss. Will be thinking of you and keeping you in prayers. Jill
November 9, 2016 @ 11:38 am
Dear Teresa, I know you have helped Dave fight the hard fight, my prayers and sympathy are coming your way. May God bless you, Ryan and family and Dave’s family. He will be missed, but we hope for a better day to meet again. Love you. ……Phyllis
November 9, 2016 @ 6:11 pm
Dear Jeff, We are so very sorry for the loss of your dad. Our prayers are with you. Rhonda and Terry Newton
November 9, 2016 @ 8:13 pm
We are so sorry for your family’s loss, Dave was always a friendly guy who we always enjoyed visiting with about the market. Our deepest sympathy
November 10, 2016 @ 7:07 am
My sincere condolences to David’s Family. I am a fellow Ziller of David’s class of 1963. Certainly he was a fine man and fought the good fight. He will be missed. Donna Bauer
November 10, 2016 @ 9:19 am
Janet so sorry about your brother even though I never knew him I am sure he was a wonderful person just like you! Sending you a big hug and prayers for today and the days ahead. There will come a day when you will see him again that is a promise from God. Love from Nancy in Virginia!
November 10, 2016 @ 9:48 am
My deepest sympathy to the family of David Smith. A classmate of 63
November 10, 2016 @ 10:38 am
To the families of David we wish to express our deepest sympathy to all of you. Wishing you comfort and peace during this time. Bob really thought a lot of David.
November 10, 2016 @ 11:39 am
Dave was surely one in a million….he shall be missed
November 10, 2016 @ 11:41 am
Jeff and Family…….Dave was surely one in a million and shall be missed.
November 10, 2016 @ 3:24 pm
Dear Jeff & Family and Teresa,
We are so very sorry for your loss. David was a special friend and will be missed by so many. Our love and prayers are with you.
Sharon & Kent Topliff
November 11, 2016 @ 8:22 am
Just want the Smith Family to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Dave touched the lives of many people, including mine. Dave shared his skills and knowledge with me as I trained to be a market news reporter, when I spent time with him at the West Plains Sale Barn. Dave’s knowledge of livestock grading was outstanding. I always enjoyed reading his commentaries where he always included southern humor and his wit. His ability to write a poetic retirement address for individuals retiring from the market news department were not to be excelled. We just pray that the good and fond memorites that you have of Dave will carry you through this time of loss. May God bring you comfort. Don and Carole Kleiboeker
November 11, 2016 @ 1:05 pm
I first met David as a advid supporter of FFA Livestock Judging Contests in the Ozarks and State wide. Many never knew how much of resource person he was to me and my FFA and college teams. David spent hours and days arranging practice classes. With David support while my tenure at Willow Springs FFA we were able to have five national teams , two of which were national champions.