Lindsay E. Smith

Born in Yankton, S.D., Lindsay lived a long, rewarding life. Well, until recently. Two months to the day after his 80^th birthday, he was diagnosed with liver cancer, which is how he eventually ended up in this obituary section. Enough about that.

Lindsay is survived by his wonderful family: Donna, loving wife of 52 years; four children, son Bradley (wife Kimberly), and daughters Debra (husband Pat), and twin daughters Jennifer (husband Christopher) and Kimberly (husband Christopher) - I told you they were twins, right? He treasured his five grandchildren: Kendall, Thea, Carey Ella, Levi, and Loretta.

He was predeceased by his father, Arthur; mother, Loretta; younger brother, Curtis; several magic rabbits, and beloved dogs Nikki and Seiko. He begrudgingly went to his grave wanting one more dog.

He grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, and is a graduate of Marshall University, Huntington, W. Va., with a BA in journalism.

In April 1963 en route to Singapore aboard the guided missile cruiser USS PROVIDENCE (CLG-6), Lindsay participated in the U.S. Navy's ""Crossing the Line"" ceremony, an infamous day-long event signifying the crossing of the Equator. Those who have never crossed are known as ""Pollywogs."" Those who ""survive"" become ""Shellbacks."" Lindsay is a Shellback.

In the summer of 1964, Lindsay climbed to the summit of Mt. Fuji in Japan. He slept overnight in a hut about three-fourths of the way to the top. The height? 12,365 feet. It was an eight-hour climb up, a four-hour descent coming back down. (It's all volcanic ash, you know.)

In the first five years after they were married in October 1967, Lindsay and Donna moved five times involving three interstate moves: Colorado, Idaho, and Arizona. Surprisingly, Donna stayed with him through all of this.

On a trip to Hawaii in 1995 to celebrate Donna's 50^th birthday, Lindsay and Donna were on a deep-sea fishing expedition off the coast of Maui. Lindsay caught and hauled in a tuna. It would have easily filled two cans.

Lindsay had several favorite movies, which he quoted often. Those movies include The Wizard of Oz, with Judy Garland (""No you can't see the Wizard, not no how, not no way.""); Stripes, with Bill Murray (""Lighten up, Francis.""); and Road House, with Patrick Swayze (""You don't look so tough to me."" ""Opinions vary."").

His most common phrase was ""Dammit Donna!"", which will perhaps be his longest running joke. He maintained his sense of humor to the very end, using his legendary ""squeaker"" to prank the doctors and nurses. He liked to say his tombstone would read: ""I told you I was sick."" Clearly he was a man of his word.

Services will be held on Friday, December 6^th at 1 PM at Horan & McConaty's South Metro/Centennial location (5303 E. County Line Road), with a reception featuring light refreshments to follow. Prior to the service Lindsay will be laid to rest with military honors in a private ceremony at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Lindsay to the American Cancer Society or to the scholarship fund for the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 1071, Check should be made to Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1071, memo section to say scholarship fund. Additional details below.

Memorial Service: December 6, 2019 1:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - South Metro/Centennial
5303 E County Line Rd
Centennial, CO 80122

Reception: December 6, 2019 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - South Metro/Centennial
5303 E County Line Rd
Centennial, CO 80122