Obit – Smart, Donald Ray
ORRVILLE— Donald Ray Smart, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2020, at Danbury Senior Living Center in Massillon, OH.
Memorial services to remember his life will be Saturday, January 18, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Orrville, with Rev. Dr. David Rittgers officiating. The family will greet friends following the memorial service at the church.
Graveside services will be held at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at 2:00 p.m.
Don was born on July 5, 1928, in Dayton, Ohio, the son of the late Twila and William Ray Smart. He graduated from, Stivers High School in 1946, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Dayton in 1950. Later, he earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He was drafted into the US Army in 1950, and served in Korea until 1952.
He was united in marriage to Joyce Howell on June 6, 1953, in Dayton, Ohio. She survives.
Don was a computer systems analyst for NCR for 15 years.
In 1970, the family moved to Orrville, OH. Until his retirement, he worked for numerous Northeast Ohio companies, helping them to establish their computer operations. In 1990, he retired from Dairy Farm Products Company in Orrville.
During retirement, he taught (part-time) computer classes at Akron University’s Wayne College in Orrville.
He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Orrville, serving as chairperson of numerous committees. He sang in the church choir for over 30 years.
Throughout his life Don was actively engaged in community activities. In Dayton, he served as President of the Dayton Junior Chamber of Commerce and sang in the Grace United Methodist Church choir. In Orrville, he was a member of Orrville Rotary Club, served as club president, and was named Rotarian of the Year. He was especially honored to be named a Paul Harris Fellow by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, and he was granted an honorary membership when he could no longer attend the meetings.
He served on the United Way Board of directors and served for fifteen years on the Orrville Public Utility Board. He also served as President of the Akron-Canton Chapter of Associated Systems Management.
In addition to his wife, Joyce, he is survived by a son, David (Rebecca) of Sacramento, CA; daughter, Cynthia of Canton, OH; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sister Mary, and brother, Bob.
Auble Funeral Home in Orrville is assisting the family with arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at the funeral home web site at www.aublefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to the choir fund of Trinity United Methodist Church, 1556 Rex Drive, Orrville, OH 44667 or Elara Caring Hospice, 1530 West Market St., Akron, OH 44313.
