Donnie Dean Smith
Graveside services for Donnie Dean Smith, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Smith passed away at 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at KU Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas surrounded by family.
He was born January 23, 1936, at Pomona, Missouri, to Granville Wellington Smith and Viva Lee Burgess Smith. Donnie graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1954. Mr. Smith was a veteran, having served with the United States Army Company G 3D Battalion 14th armored cavalry and traveled to Germany. He lived in the Kansas City area for many years as well as Thomasville, Georgia before returning to live in West Plains the later years of his life. He worked for Fairbanks Morse Pumps, a division of Colt Industries as a Manufacturing Plant Manager. Donnie enjoyed spending time with his family, neighbors and friends and was loved by all. He was a sports fan and enjoyed playing golf and fishing. He also enjoyed gardening and working on projects around his home. He was a member of the 14 Junction coffee club with endless stories to tell. Donnie always had a positive attitude and always happy to help others.
He is survived by two children, Dawn Kirchmer and husband, Kevin, Olathe, Kansas and Brian Tullis and wife, Leslie, Blue Springs, Missouri; five grandchildren, Gavin, Kaylin and Sophia Kirchmer and Cole and Owen Tullis; two brothers, Lamar Smith and Howard Smith and wife, Nancy; one sister, Cora Jane Stevens; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
His parents, one brother, Joe Smith, one brother-in-law, Jack Stevens and two sisters-in-law, Fern Smith and Shirley Smith preceded him in death.
Mr. Smith will lie in state from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans or Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
