Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Obituary - Donald R. Smotherman

Donald Ray Smotherman, age 78, of Laurie, passed away Monday, April 27, 2015, at his home. He was born December 6, 1936, in Kansas City, Kansas, a son of the late Fred R. and Eula Fay (Waggoner) Smotherman.

Donald Ray Smotherman, 78
Donald R. Smotherman
Don spent most of his childhood in the Quindaro area of Kansas City, Kansas, where he attended and graduated from Wyandotte High School. He had a lifetime career as a pipefitter out of Kansas City’s Union Local 533. During his apprenticeship, he received the National Apprentice of the Year award at Purdue University. He was united in marriage to Beverly Ann Lance from the Rosedale area of Kansas City, Kansas on May 19, 1956. The couple then began a lifelong walk in the Christian faith. Don and Bev were blessed with two sons, Steven R. Smotherman and Ronald L. Smotherman.

Don and Bev resided in the Kansas City and Shawnee areas of Kansas. Upon retirement, they moved to the area they loved the most on the Lake of the Ozarks. They lived the remainder of their lives enjoying their beloved lake and the Senior Citizens Center located in Laurie.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, with whom he shared fifty-six years. He is survived by his sons, Steven R. Smotherman of Climax Springs, Missouri and Ronald L. Smotherman (Pam) of Butler, Missouri; two brothers, David L. Smotherman (Alice) of Lenexa, Kansas and Robert D. Smotherman (Bonita) of Hollister, Missouri; one sister, Carol J. Huntsman (David) of Kearney, Missouri; four grandchildren, Josh, Sherrie, Penny and Nathan; several great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and his good friend, Pauline Turner. He will be missed by his family and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at the First Assembly of God Church in Versailles. Graveside services and interment will follow in Garber Memorial Estates Cemetery in Laurie. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Expressions of sympathy may be left online at www.kidwellgarber.com.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel.

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