David McCoy Smith Sr., 92, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Monday (July 22, 2013) at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

The son of Louis Marvin and Viola Pearl (Newburgh) Smith, he was born July 13, 1921 in Thompson, Missouri. On January 15, 1944 in College Station, Texas, David was united in marriage to Mary Martha Ancell who preceded him in death on February 13, 2013 after 69 years of marriage.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Thomas Marvin and Vernon Ordel Smith and one son, David McCoy Smith Jr.

David is survived by three sons, Steve Kent Smith of Kirksville, MO, Mark Earvin and Connie Jean Smith of Hendersonville, TN and Michael Todd and Patsy (Gray) Smith of Galesburg, IL; grandsons, Richard Allen Smith of Woodward, IA, Brian Scott Smith of Liberty, MO, Justin Troy Smith and Mardi Lea of Kirksville, MO, and Colby Michael Smith of Galesburg, IL; granddaughters, Marcy Dawn Markes and Ronald Eugene of Columbia, MO, and Tara Danielle Smith and Tonya Nichole Smith both of Hendersonville, TN; great grand daughters, Alexa Jade Smith, and Makenzie Kathryn Smith both of Liberty, MO, Samantha Lynn Smith of Mount Vernon, IA, and Lynsey Kaye and Justin Richard Foster of Columbia, MO; great grandson to Rian McCoy Markes of Columbia, MO; many nephews, nieces and a host of friends.

David was a graduate from Cairo, Missouri High School with the Class of 1939. He was a deacon at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for eighteen years, Boy Scout Leader fifteen years, a member of Masonic Lodge #105 Ely Commander #2., Historian McDougal American Legion Post 20. He graduated US Navy Flight School April 1943, had honorable discharge and joined the US Marine Corp on August 12th, trained in radio communications, at College Station TX. David served in Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Marshalls Islands, Guam, Philippines and the Occupation of Japan. David was radio man on C-47 that flew into fighting zones with supplies and brought injured out, held rank of Staff Sergeant. After being discharged from the Marines, David served in the National Guard in Nevada, MO from 1949 to 1952.

David retired from Montgomery Wards after more than 25 years of service at the Kirksville, MO store. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and their families.

Public visitation will be held Thursday (August 1, 2013) with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Masonic service at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday (August 2, 2013) at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kirksville, with Pastor Jim Pitney and Janice Legg officiating. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Parkview Memorial Gardens in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be members of American Legion Post #20 of Kirksville.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of David Smith may be made to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or American Legion Post #20 of Kirksville. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.