Dean C. Smith, age 56, of Marion, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at his home following a brief illness.
On March 23, 1958, Dean was born in Delaware, Ohio, the son of David E. Smith and the late Evelyn E. (Myers) Smith Jones.
A graduate of River Valley High School in the Class of 1976, the University of Maryland with a Bachelors in Management and Embry Riddle University with a Bachelors of Professional Aeronautics.
After proudly serving in active military duty for twenty years, Dean retired from the U.S. Navy in 1995. He then continued working for the military as a civilian for 11 years, first as a field support engineer for Northup Grumman Aerospace and later as an aircraft configuration manager for the Department of Defense.
He also was a 30 year member of the American Legion Post 605 in Waldo, a life member and commander (2003-2006) of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1679 in Ventura, California, where he also held many district 8 offices. He was a life member of Disabled American Veterans, a member of the American Veterans Post 104 in Delaware, Ohio, a life member of the Fleet Reserve Association, and the Disabled American Veterans Post 24 in Ventura, California.
Music, fishing, hunting and barbequing were his passions.
Left to cherish his memory are his father, David Smith of Delaware; three children: Lisette (Hector) Guma of Cartersville, Georgia, Heather (Robby) Valenzuela of Dalton, Georgia, and James D. “J.D.” (Pauline) Smith of St. Petersburg, Florida; five grandchildren: Raphael, Lorenzo, Santiago, Helena and Annayah, with one more soon to arrive, Kaiden; a brother, Criss A. (Ruth) Smith of Marion; maternal grandmother, Nora Myers of Waldo; and several nieces and nephews.
Including his mother, Dean was preceded in death by his step-father, John R. Jones; and by his step-mother, Betty J. Smith.
Dean’s wishes were to have his ashes spread at sea by the US Navy with full military honors. A memorial will be placed in the Waldo Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Attn: Development, 875 N. Randolph St., Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203 (https://donate.nmcrs.org).
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Dean’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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