California Obituaries
San Bernardino County

Donald Lawrence Smith

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

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"Big Bear Grizzly"; Thursday, September 3, 2009

Don passed away of lung cancer Aug. 9, 2009, in Altus, Okla. He was born 
May 2, 1931, in Bay City Mich., to Harry and Adela May Smith and was 
raised in Ingelwood, Calif., and Big Bear, Calif., graduating Big Bear High 
School class of 1950.  He served in the U.S. Navy from Oct. 1951 to Aug. 
1953 during the Korean War. He worked for Hughes Aircraft in Culver City 
for a short time.  In 1954 he began a 39- year plumbing career joining 
Plumbers Local Union #78 of Los Angeles and retiring from Los Angeles 
DWP as a foreman in 1993.  Don was active in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts 
and the Special Olympics of Los Angeles while raising his family and there 
were regular visits back to Big Bear over those years. Retirement brought 
Don and his wife, Pat, back to Big Bear as full-time residents in 1995 
(until Feb. 2009 when health problems prompted the move to Altus). 
He voluntered as a U.S. Forest Service Fire Watch Lookout at Butler Peak 
and worked for long time friend George Pivaroff at Pleasure Point Landing 
for several years.  He loved RVing, camping, boating, fishing and playing 
golf.

True to his Scouting code, Don was always willing to lend a cheerful helping 
hand where ever needed.  Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Pat, and 
3 sons: Cork (Ruth) Albright of Opeglabeek, Belgium, Randy (Jana) Albright 
of Altus, Okla., and Kelly Smith of Hacienda Heights, Calif.? Six grandchildren 
and spouses: Amos and Christina Albright, Amy and Griz Nida, Angele and 
Hilbert Monsuur, Jennifer and Isaac Grove, Jay Albright and Kimberly 
Tempelton. And 10 great grandchildren. Brother, Gene (Vivian) Simpkins 
of Heber, Ariz., and nephews Mark Simpkins and Gene (Mary) Simpkins of 
Hawthorne, Calif.  Sister, Shirley (Wayne) Gillespie of Exxesville, Mich. 
Aunt Helen Young and cousin Bob Young of LaCanada, Calif., and cousin 
Tom (Kay) Young of Simi Valley, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents.  Arrangements were? made? by 
the Lowell Tims Funeral Home of Altus, Okla.