Donald L. ""Sam"" Smith

Donald L. ""Sam"" Smith passed away peacefully on October 26, 2016. He was 85. Sam was a man of action. After graduation from South High School in Denver, Sam married Margaret E. ""Margie"" Smith, his wife of over 60 years. For work, he joined the ""bull gang"" at McMurtry Paint and Glass Company. Shortly thereafter President Truman sent him greetings and invited him to join the United States Army for two years. While there, he learned that Wisconsin is cold, and that Texas has lots of bugs and snakes. He also learned that airplane fuel worked great in his car. After leaving the Army, he returned to Denver and became a journeyman glazier at McMurtry. Later he joined the Denver Fire Department, where he served with distinction for eight years. In 1964, he co-founded Metropolitan Glass, Inc. which eventually became one of the largest glass companies in Denver. During his working career, he gained the respect of those around him and made many life-long friendships. Sam was a tough guy with a lot of great stories. He survived a plane crash while in the Army and fell through a floor while battling a house fire for the fire department. And while working as a glazier, he fell out of a window and actually landed on an awning below, probably saving his life. Even when not working, Sam was constantly in action. An avid outdoorsman, he hunted and fished all over Colorado and beyond, including Alaska, Canada and New Zealand. His most impressive trophy was probably a Kodiak brown bear. He loved woodworking, and he built many pieces of fine furniture for friends and family. He also loved to spend time at the family cabin working and relaxing, a place he essentially built from the ground up. He was also known to enjoy a splash of bourbon and a good cigar. Sam loved his family. He is survived by his four sons Gary (wife Renae and children Heather, Elizabeth and Greg), Michael (wife Adele and child Kelly); Ronald (wife Karen), and David (wife Lynn and child Victoria), four great-grandchildren, his sister Dorothy Horan, and a large extended family. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Margie, his parents Lewis and Angela Smith and his sister Betty Anne Lewis. Sam will be laid to rest at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Lutheran Hospice at Collier Hospice Center would be appreciated. Donations may be made online at: https://www.lutheranmedicalcenter.org/about/foundation/ or by mail: Lutheran Medical Center Foundation Attn: Collier Hospice 8300 W 38th Ave. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033