Donald Charles Smith

Donald Charles Smith Sr. 68 of Apache Junction Arizona passed away on August 3, 2025, of natural causes. He was the son of Donald Eugene Smith and Sally (Meyers) Smith. He was born in August of 1956 in Renton Washington.

In 1975 just before graduating from Newberg High School in Oregon he married his high school sweetheart Carma (DuRette) Smith. Together they had seven children Donny, Tommy, Heidi, Andy, Chrissy, Jenny, and Cindy.

After graduation he joined the Navy serving 5 years. His first 3 years of active duty were aboard the ISS Sterrett based out of San Diego followed by two years in the Naval Reserve out of New Orleans. He was Honorably discharged in 1980 and used the skills he learned in the Navy for the rest of his career. The Navy also gave him the ability to travel, experience typhoons, learn to sleep under a 5-inch gun, and teach fellow shipmates about the new two-dollar bill.

Don worked for the papermill in Newberg Oregon from 1979 until it closed in 2012. He finished his career working the State of Oregon Department of Corrections until he retired in 2022.

In Dons younger years he liked to spend time camping, backpacking, fishing, ice fishing, white water rafting, scuba diving, rockhounding, and more.

After Carma’s passing due to a tragic car accident in 2008, Don met Marion (Schliebe) Smith. They married in September of 2009 and together enjoyed a life of travel, cruising, and making new friends. They moved to Arizona in 2024 to enjoy their retirement life.

Continuing to honor Don’s memory are wife Marion Smith, six children, two stepchildren, seventeen grandchildren, one great grandchild, Mother Sally Smith, brother Larry Smith, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Preceding Don in death is wife Carma Smith, son Andy Smith, sister Deb Oulette, brothers David and Tim Smith, Father Donald E Smith, along with other extended family.

Interment services with Military Honors will be held at Valley View Memorial Park, Newberg Oregon on September 27, 2025 at 1pm, followed by a gathering of family and friends at the Church of Christ Latter Day Saints in Newberg.