Don Smith

Don F. Smith of Little Rock passed away April 18, 2009, at the age of 72. Don was a member of the Highland Valley United Methodist Church and the Highlander Sunday School Class. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1954. He retired from Harry's Market and was a loyal member of the Moose Lodge 942. He was an assistant golf pro with Johnny Whitten at Riverdale Country Club. In addition to his love for golf, he was a die-hard Razorback fan, and also played basketball. As a youth at Lamar Porter Field, he played baseball with Brooks Robinson. Don attended UALR and was in the Arkansas National Guard.
Don is survived by his wife of nine years, Donna Johnson Smith; two daughters, Traci Smith and Terry Henley, both of Little Rock; step-daughter, Sharri Thielke and husband, Joe of Conway; step-sons, Gary Johnson and wife, Linda of Little Rock and Rick Johnson and wife, Natalie of Jacksonville, Florida. He also leaves one sister, Sally Benson and husband, Grady of Little Rock; grandchildren, Dustin and Chelsea McJunkin, Jake, Jared and Jensen Thielke, Cameron and Collin Johnson, Rudi and Marshall Johnson, and Natalie Johnson Mayer; two brothers-in-law, Gary Bridges of Springdale and Curtis Bridges of Maui, Hawaii; nephew, Jim Benson and wife, Sharon; niece, Marcy Wood; great-nephews, Derrell Wood III, Jake Wood, Michael Benson and Jonathan Benson; great-great- niece, Jessica Benson and many other loving family members and friends who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald J. Smith and Martha J. Dillon, step-father, Jack Dillon, nephew John Benson, and his first wife, Vicki Booe Smith.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 21st from 5-7 PM at Little Rock Funeral Home 8801 Knoedl Court (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), Little Rock,(501) 224-2200.
Funeral service will be held at Highland Valley United Methodist Church Wednesday, April 22nd at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Daniel Kirkpatrick officiating. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, Highland Valley United Methodist Church or Pulaski County Humane Society. To sign Don's on-line guestbook, go to www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.