David Joel Smith

David Joel Small David Joel Small died at home January 19. He was born August 8, 1941 in Worthington, Minnesota to Robert and Mary Small. He grew up in Huron, South Dakota, attending Jefferson Elementary School, St. Teresa's Catholic School and Huron High School. David left Huron in 1959 to join his family in an overseas assignment to Ankara, Turkey, graduating in 1961. He called Ankara home until 1963. David attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. David was in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years, serving in Vietnam from 1966-67. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1967, serving until 1989. He rose to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant with a career field in Public Affairs. He retired to Steilacoom, Washington and was an officer in the Department of Corrections at Washington Correctional Center for Women and Tacoma Pre-Release until retiring in 2002. David is survived by his wife Susan of Steilacoom, son, Michael of Havelock, NC, presently serving in Iraq, son Robert, of Gig Harbor, WA; daughter Cara of Summerfield, IL, sister Liz Woodsend of Sioux Falls, SD, and six grandchildren. There will be a memorial at the family home in Steilacoom on Sunday, January 28 at 3:00 PM.

Published in News Tribune (Tacoma) on 1/23/07