Don L. Smith

Don L. Smith February 5, 1929 – December 9, 2025

Don L. Smith, 96, passed away on December 9, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of music, craftsmanship, and an expansive, loving family.
Born in Salina, Kansas, on February 5, 1929, he was the beloved son of Frederick Guy Smith and Ethel Esther Howell Smith. Don’s life of service began as a young man in the U.S. Army, where he served from August 1951 to July 1953. A musician at heart, he played the trombone for the Army Band, serving overseas in Dachau and Munich, Germany, and Nancy and Verdun, France.
Upon returning to civilian life, Don completed his bachelor’s degree in industrial arts at Fort Hays State University in 1956. This launched a diverse career that spanned decades, including time served in the Methodist ministry. However, his professional passion was found in vocational education. Don taught drafting, appliance repair, electronics, and refrigeration for Arapaho Community College, Pueblo Community College, Colorado Department of Corrections in Canon City, Pikes Peak Community College, US Army training center at Fort Carson, and Southern Colorado State University. He eventually retired in 1995 from Cigna Industries, where he worked as an Environmental Maintenance Engineer.
While he took pride in his work, Don was a man defined by his passions. He was a skilled woodworker, spending hours crafting furniture and wooden toy cars—a talent that allowed him to create lasting treasures for his family.
Above all, Don was a performer. Possessing a deep bass voice, he sang in the church choir of every congregation the family belonged to and was a proud member of the Pueblo Choral Society. For over 50 years, he fulfilled his flair for performance by singing with various Barbershop groups, most recently the Pueblo Sunsational Barbershoppers. Fitting the image perfectly, Don was well known for his signature handlebar mustache, having perfected his “mustache twirling skills” to the delight of his audience.
Don’s greatest devotion was to his family. He spent his life finding meaningful ways to connect with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of almost 70 years, Shirley Elizabeth Griffin Smith.
He leaves behind four children: Kirk Smith (Nikki), Janet Reedy (Ron), Kimberley Dore (Brady), and Melanie Chamberlin.
His legacy continues through his 9 grandchildren: Jared Smith (Jade), Jacob Smith (Serena), Stephanie Smith (Mark), Larry Reedy (Tracy), Caitlin Reedy, Colleen Yoder (Josh), Adam Smith (Natalie), Christopher Chamberlin (Stephanie), and Stacy Seeley (Kody).
He was a proud patriarch to 30 great-grandchildren: Alysia, Roberto, Meleigha, Sean, Destany, Pheonix, Luke, Trent, Madilyn, Malachi, Sariah, Jaymes, Mia, Cale, Grayson, Colton, Raia, Maleah, Noble, Everlee, Axton, Avery, Seren, Kiara, Destiny, Kaylia, Christian, Adaline, Jameson, and Silas; as well as 4 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, James Smith; his nephews, Roger Smith and Bryan Smith; his son-in-law, James Chamberlin; and his grandson, Justin Dore.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 310 W 11th, Pueblo, CO 81003, on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made in the name of Don L Smith to the First United Methodist Church, or Sangre De Cristo Hospice.