David E. Smith

David was born December 5, 1939 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and received his wings May 7, 2026

David, what an incredible life you had; a Mississippi river towboat deckhand, an electron physicist looking for stray neutrons, a research engineer working on the XB-70 experimental bomber, and an aerodynamicist developing emergency detection systems for the Saturn B1 rocket.

You were a physicist, an international market manager, and an information systems manager who developed the first product database to track 3M products worldwide

Your tendencies and characteristics show more in your children with each passing year. Your patience, mechanical thinking, and perfectionism are passed down through Erin as some of her favorite traits. Brett treasures the curiosity you shared with him. It turns even the smallest things into part of something larger so that everyday is filled with exploration, learning, and growth

A caregiver to your mother, Helen McKinnell Smith and your mother-in-law, Imogene Edwards Sherrill. Father to Brett and Erin Smith and my husband, my love, my friend and companion since the fourth grade, oh my, we miss you.

We are now on our own.

Your daily life lessons prepared us for the day when you would no longer be with us. We are so thankful for having shared your life, and so proud to have called you husband and father.

Adele, Brett, Erin