Donald Eugene Smith, 74, formerly of Gettysburg, PA, died September 15, 2017 at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Born October 6, 1942 in Gettysburg, Donald was the second son of the late Charles A. and Mary Elizabeth Dougherty Smith. He is survived by his brother, Frederic C. Smith of Gettysburg, a niece, Katherine Smeal of Camp Hill, PA and a nephew, Brian A. Smith of Shillington, PA. He was predeceased by his brother, Kenneth R. Smith.
He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Gettysburg. While residing in Gettysburg, he held memberships in the Adams County Arts Council, Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg and the Adams County Historical Society. He served as Program Chairman of the Adams County Bicentennial Committee of 2000.
He graduated from the Gettysburg Area Schools in 1960 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and education from Gettysburg College in 1964. He also did additional undergraduate work at Florida International University in the field of Hotel and Restaurant Management and at HACC in computer proficiency. He was also a graduate with honors of the Academy Pacific Travel and Business College in Los Angeles, CA in 1987.
He served in the US Navy aboard destroyers during the Vietnam War, honorably discharged in 1970 with the rank of Lieutenant, a recipient of five service ribbons, including the Navy Achievement Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with three stars. He was a graduate of the Naval Destroyer School, Newport, RI in 1969 and had also attended schools in the areas of Communications and Electronics.
His major career centered in the college bookstore industry for 13 years, and later in the travel and tour industry, mostly in California, prior to his return to Gettysburg in 1993. He devoted more than twenty years of his life to the growth and development of California Great Outdoors, of which he was a founding member of the board of directors.
Funeral services will be held Monday, September 18 at 10:00 am, at St. James Lutheran Church, Gettysburg, with his pastor the Rev. Michael Allwein officiating. A viewing will take place at the church prior to Monday's service from 9:00 until the time of the service. A military interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Adams County Library or the Adams County Historical Society.
Previous Events
Visitation
18
Sep
109 York St.
Gettysburg, PA
Service
18
Sep
109 York St.
Gettysburg, PA
Cemetery Details
Location
799 Baltimore St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
