David Smith

David Earl Smith peacefully entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 4, 2024, at the age of 90. Dave was born in Alton, Illinois on June 10, 1934 to Earnest and Vera Smith (nee Welch). He went to school in Alton, but spent many weekends with his family in a hand-built cabin on Piasa Creek, a tributary of the Mississippi River, where he shared adventures with his younger brother, Mike. 

After graduating in 1956 with an electrical engineering degree from the University of Illinois, Dave met and married the love of his life, Ruth. They were happily married for 67 years and raised three children together - Steve, Julie, and Laura. Dave was a loving dad to his children, and planned many family vacations and camping trips. 

Dave worked his entire career as an automation specialist for McDonnell Douglass/Boeing. Although he was a loyal, dedicated worker, his family, church, and Kingdom work is where he found joy.

In 1962, Howard and Frances Clark invited Dave and Ruth to Hope Church, where, for the first time, they heard a clear presentation of the gospel. Within a week, they had both accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. This commitment to Christ became the foundation of their family, marriage, and every aspect of their life together.

Throughout his working years and well into his retirement, Dave taught and served others. For sixteen years he taught the two-year olds at Hope with Ruth. He also taught AWANA cubbies, led many teams to work Sunshine Camps at Kentucky Mountain Mission, oversaw the Samaritan Shoe Box ministry at Christmas, and much more. 

Dave loved spending time with his family and he and Ruth hosted countless birthday parties, Christmas celebrations, and grandkid sleepovers at their house in St. Charles. He loved to quote old TV shows, commercials, movies, and songs, and was known in his family for many great quotes of his own. 

Forty years ago, Dave began providing his family with a yearly summer vacation to the Lake of the Ozarks to ensure they could all be together. The original group of 12 in 1984 grew to over 30 as new spouses and grandchildren and great-grandchildren were added to the tradition. At the lake, Dave always organized a family church service on Sunday, where his family worshipped the Lord together. 

Dave is preceded in death by his beloved brother, Mike Smith, and his sons-in-law, Keith Carlson and Bill Losch, who he loved as sons. He is survived by his wife Ruth Ann Smith (nee Speight), his three children, daughter-in-law, Diana, 11 grandchildren, Angela (Tommy) Hall, Danny (Ashley) Smith, Paul (Angie) Smith, Christopher (Maddi) Carlson, Garrett (Ally) Carlson, Caleb (Bailey) Carlson, Will Losch, Molly (Tiberius) Ackerman, Luke Losch, Andrew Losch, Carly Losch, 11 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, his sister-in-law Alpha Smith, and the rest of his “Texas family.”

Funeral Ceremony will be 1:00 pm Friday, September 13, 2024 at Grace Community Chapel, 7661 Mexico Rd, St Peters, MO 63376.

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