Donald Jay Smith, 81, Emporia, Kansas, passed away December 25, 2017 at Holiday Resort Care Center, Emporia.
Don was born June 12, 1936 at Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, the son of John Howard and Doris Maurine (Lilly) Smith. Don and Leonita Boan were married in Emporia, Kansas on January 29, 1956. She survives.
Also surviving Don are two daughters; Regina (Larry) Falcetto, Emporia, Kansas and Colonel (retd) Cindy C. Smith, Linn Valley, Kansas, Son; Timothy J. Smith, Olathe, Kansas, brother; Phillip Dean Smith, Westminster, Colorado, Grandchildren; Major Nicholas (Major Jennifer) Falcetto and Andrea Falcetto, and Great-grandchildren; Lilly, Andrew, and Alexis Falcetto.
Don was a 1954 graduate of Emporia High School. His first job was at Reeble’s Grocery Store, which is where he met his wife, Leonita. Later, Mr. Smith was a letter carrier for the United Stated Postal Service for 30 years. After retiring from the Post Office he worked part time at Dillon’s helping customers.
He was diagnosed with type I diabetes in 1945 and was active as an advocate for diabetes research and participated in many trial studies for treatment, including insulin pumps. For many summers he used his vacation time to help with children’s diabetes camps. For three years he walked a 50 mile fund raising walk from Wichita to Hutchinson. After the day and a half walk he would run a 2 mile race, taking first place in the insulin dependent age group each of the 3 years
His hobbies included keeping bees, genealogy, playing trumpet, watching KU basketball, the Royals, and NASCAR racing.
Cremation is planned with no services at this time. Inurnment will occur in the spring in Cottonwood Cemetery, west of Emporia.
Memorials have been established with Team Schnack Strong or the Emporia Friends of the Zoo. Contributions may be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Jay Smith, please visit our flower store.
Don was born June 12, 1936 at Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, the son of John Howard and Doris Maurine (Lilly) Smith. Don and Leonita Boan were married in Emporia, Kansas on January 29, 1956. She survives.
Also surviving Don are two daughters; Regina (Larry) Falcetto, Emporia, Kansas and Colonel (retd) Cindy C. Smith, Linn Valley, Kansas, Son; Timothy J. Smith, Olathe, Kansas, brother; Phillip Dean Smith, Westminster, Colorado, Grandchildren; Major Nicholas (Major Jennifer) Falcetto and Andrea Falcetto, and Great-grandchildren; Lilly, Andrew, and Alexis Falcetto.
Don was a 1954 graduate of Emporia High School. His first job was at Reeble’s Grocery Store, which is where he met his wife, Leonita. Later, Mr. Smith was a letter carrier for the United Stated Postal Service for 30 years. After retiring from the Post Office he worked part time at Dillon’s helping customers.
He was diagnosed with type I diabetes in 1945 and was active as an advocate for diabetes research and participated in many trial studies for treatment, including insulin pumps. For many summers he used his vacation time to help with children’s diabetes camps. For three years he walked a 50 mile fund raising walk from Wichita to Hutchinson. After the day and a half walk he would run a 2 mile race, taking first place in the insulin dependent age group each of the 3 years
His hobbies included keeping bees, genealogy, playing trumpet, watching KU basketball, the Royals, and NASCAR racing.
Cremation is planned with no services at this time. Inurnment will occur in the spring in Cottonwood Cemetery, west of Emporia.
Memorials have been established with Team Schnack Strong or the Emporia Friends of the Zoo. Contributions may be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Jay Smith, please visit our flower store.
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