Donald Leverette Smith

NORTHGLENN, COLORADO: Donald L. Smith, 81, much loved husband, father, grandfather and golfing aficionado, died suddenly on June 27, 2010, while visiting relatives in Gray, Georgia. Mr. Smith, a career Marine and successful businessman, was born in Macon, GA on August 28, 1928, and was the son of the late Leonard Leverette Smith and Virginia Fowler Smith. He was a graduate of Jones County High School, where he excelled at football and track. In 1948, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving his country with honor. While stationed in The Hague, the Netherlands, on Embassy duty, Mr. Smith met the former Elizabeth Jean ""BJ"" Jasinowski and they were married on November 27, 1954, in Arlington, Virginia. During his distinguished career in the Marines, he completed tours of duty in both Korea and Hungnam Evacuation and Vietnam, retiring as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in 1969. Upon returning to civilian life, Mr. Smith settled in Denver, Colorado, where he was an active businessman and father. After retiring from the Marine Corp., he started ""SMITH VENDING COMPANY, INC"". a family owned and operated food/vending service business. Mr. Smith operated his business until he retired in 1984 and began traveling the United States in his RV. Mr Smith was an active member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of The F.M.C.A. An avid golfer, Mr. Smith was a long time member of the SENIOR SWINGERS AT RIVERDALE GOLF CLUB where he played golf with his buddies weekly. Mr. Smith is survived by his devoted wife of fifty-five years: Elizabeth Jean Jasinowski Smith; sons and daughters-in-law: Kurt and Nicole Smith, Karl and Rebecca Smith and Kristopher and Debra Smith; his six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; plus his SMITH FAMILY of Jones County, Georgia, especially his beloved ""Uncle Noel(Skeet)"" of Wayside, GA and numerous relatives throughout South Carolina, Alabama, Virginia. Funeral Services will be Thursday, July 8, 12:00PM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 9998 Grant Street, Thornton, CO. Interment will follow at 2:15PM, Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO, Staging Area ""C"". Please share your memories of Mr. Smith and condolences for his family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" tab below.