David M Smith, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away on March 19, 2024, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was born on July 19, 1937, in Battle Creek, MI, to Clifford and Marguerite Smith. David graduated from Lakeview High School in Battle Creek, MI, in 1955. He started work as a draftsman at Wade Electric in Sturgis, and later Kellogg Company as a design engineer in 1961, retiring in 1996 as a lead design engineer. David married June Pangburn in 1958. Their family grew with the addition of daughter Michele Smith in 1961, followed by another daughter Cheri Smith in 1964. He married Joyce Geeting in 1978 and gained a nine-year old bonus-daughter, Chrissy. David had a lifelong interest in car racing, both racing cars and building them. He was also interested in CB radios and later ham radio, guns and target shooting. In later years, after retiring, he was very active in Skywarn, local weather monitoring, and as a volunteer for Battle Creek Emergency Services. David remained very active in the ham community throughout his later years, and leaves behind many great friends. Preceded in death by his wife Joyce Smith and his parents. He is survived by his daughters Michele “Shellie” (Don) Martin of Clearwater, FL, Cheri (Ward) Spidle of Battle Creek, Chris “Chrissy” (Joel) Huff of Battle Creek; Grandsons David Smith and Jared Jones; great grandsons Cameron and Ryker Smith; brother Jim (Donna) Smith; nephew Steve (Sarah) Smith of Richmond, Ind., and niece Kellee (Leo) VanValkenburg. He is also survived by first wife and special friend, June Kucks and special friends Terry Tassos and Glenn “Smokey” McCray. The family would like to thank the staff at NorthPointe Woods in Battle Creek for their excellent care over the last few months that David lived there. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
