Donald Jay Smith

Donald Jay Smith, age 80, of Americus, passed away at his residence surrounded by his family on November 10, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. Donald was born March 4, 1941, in Americus, to the late Joseph Harrison Smith, Sr. and the late Mildred Booker Smith. Donald grew up in Americus and was a third generation Sumter County citizen. He attended Americus High School where, after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He completed his basic training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. Later he was transferred to Richards GeBauer Air Force Base in Belton, Missouri, where he was assigned to the Aircraft Maintenance Division and promoted to Airman First Class. His aircraft maintenance team was attached to the United States Distance Early Warning line division also known as the DEW team. In 1962, his division of the DEW team was dispatched to Florida to assist with the Cuban Missile Crisis. They were an integral part of keeping the planes flying and in the air during this conflict. He thought it a great honor to be able to serve his country and was proud of his service. After leaving the Air Force, Donald returned home to Americus where he was a farmer and business owner. He also took classes at the local trade school, now called South Georgia Technical College, and became proficient in welding and joinery. He worked for a number of years with Dick Marshall at Marshall Seed Processing Company and in the horse racing business as the farm manager for Muckalee Stables Racing under the direction of Mr. Marshall. He bought his first farm in Vienna, Georgia in the 1970's and later moved his farm operation to Sumter County. He was co-owner of Smith and Joiner Welding Services for many years in Americus, and then worked for Jones Welding until his health caused him to retire in 2021. He loved working, being productive, and teaching people the art of welding. He especially enjoyed his farm and farming, and taught many young men in Americus who worked on his farm crews the value of hard work. He had an avid interest in airplanes and flying, and made his solo airplane flight on July 11, 1983 from Peterson Air Field in Plains. He also had a keen interest in space and all things concerning NASA and the US Space Program. Donald was a humble, Christian man who valued hard work, was very patriotic, loved his country and his family, especially his grandchildren. He always looked for the good in people, no matter what their circumstances in life, and he never met a stranger. When he wasn't working and farming, he loved getting together with his family, talking about family genealogy, and eating good food. Whenever you visited him at his home or stopped by his welding shop, he always wanted to feed you dinner or lunch and would send you home with a bag of homegrown vegetables. He had a good sense of humor and enjoyed keeping the younger children in the family spell-bound with his tall tales. Donald was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church for over 50 years, and served as a deacon in the 1970's and 1980's. He was also a past member of the Georgia Cattlemen's Association and served on the South Georgia Technical College Welding Advisory Board. The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to Phoebe Hospice, Dr. Michael Raines, Pastor Mike Truitt, Veronica Arline, and his sitters: Lakeisha Hightower, Betsy Shyrock, and Rachel Waters for their kind and compassionate care during his illness. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his second wife, Margaret Price Smith; his four brothers: Harrison Smith, Jr., Wiley B. Smith, Gerald A. Smith, and Gordon W. Smith. Also preceding him in death was a brother-in-law, Daniel Ward of Moultrie, Georgia. Donald is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law: Cheri and Dewey Paradise of Plains, and Tami and Scott Colter of Ellaville; four grandchildren: Catie Paradise of Plains, Jesse Colter of Dublin, Georgia, Dylan Colter of Nashville, Tennessee, and Lauren Colter of Dahlonega, Georgia; and one sister, Bertha Ann Ward of Moultrie. He is also survived by two step-children: Laura Pittman (Gil) of Leslie, and Scott Barry (Christy) of Americus; four step-grandchildren: Kylie Pittman, Jake Pittman (Libby), Livvy Barry, and Bo Barry; three sisters-in-law: Hazel Hobgood Smith, Cathy Cambiano Smith, both of Americus, and Betty Smith Gregory of Tampa, Florida. Also surviving are his first wife and mother to his children, Liz Kelly of Americus; a special friend, Denny Tyler of Birmingham, Alabama; and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins. A visitation will be held at Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., on Friday, November 12, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The funeral and interment services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the South Georgia Technical College Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA 31709; the Shiloh Baptist Church Building Fund, 961 Shiloh Road, Americus, GA 31719; or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Donald Jay Smith.