David Earl Smith

David Mahan Earl Smith Sr. went to be with his heavenly Father on July 21, 2025 at the age of 92. Born in El Dorado, KS on February 17, 1933, David is predeceased by his parents Eugene Leslie Smith and Inez Omega (Thompson) Smith. He is preceded in death by his siblings: Eldon Smith, Edward Smith, Melvin Smith, Doris Abrams, and Patricia Smith. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Shirley Marlene Smith of Wichita, KS. He is preceded in death by his two children: Jerry Dean Smith and Katryn Ann Harms, daughter in-law Lola Anna Smith and granddaughter Nicole Lindsey Harms.

David and Shirley married October 2, 1951. David is survived by his children Deborah Smith (Richard Parra), David Smith Jr. (Nita), Diana Whipple (Ben), Amy Zerger (Randall), and Terry Smith (Arienne). He leaves behind 22 grandchildren, 29 great- grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

David, or Dave (as his friends and co-workers referred to him), served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Korean Conflict on the Destroyer USS Gurke, DD-783 as an Engineman 3rd Class. Dave received a number of awards for his service on the Gurke. One of the most significant was a Unit Commendation medal “for extraordinary heroism in support of the landing at Inchon”. As part of that operation, Dave’s destroyer along with several others acted as “sitting ducks” to draw fire in preparation for the invasion. During Dave’s service on the Gurke they received 5 direct hits. Dave was injured during one of these, but he was proud to serve his country.

Dave spent 30 years in Alaska, many in remote areas for the Federal Aviation Administration as an Electronic Maintenance Technician. He worked his last two stations in McGrath and Homer, Alaska as Chief of Airway Facilities for the FAA.

Dave held a private pilot’s license and purchased a Piper Tri-Pacer and later a Cessna 182. He really enjoyed flying in Bush Alaska where rugged terrain and unforgiving weather conditions were common. Dave immediately began using his planes and flying time to serve others. Besides taking his family to the closest big city for medical appointments, Dave also flew kids to and from remote camps, gospel teams to surrounding villages, and assisted in search and rescue/recovery operations.

After Dave’s early retirement from the FAA due to his military service-connected injury, he and Shirley lived their last decade in Alaska in remote communities serving people. To name a few: they acted as dorm parents in a boarding school, and leant Dave’s technical expertise to upgrade the audio equipment that enabled a mission agency to send Bible instruction tapes to remote communities. Wherever they went, Dave wanted to pass on his wealth of electronic and handyman skills to others.

In his years in Alaska Dave hunted and fished to provide for the family and enjoyed being an all-around outdoorsman. He built play cabins for his kids and later a house for the family. Dave also took up ham radio and Morse code as a hobby. Later in life he wrote a brief autobiography, “My Quiver is Full”, for his kids that covered the first 20 years of his life. Preserving family history was important to Dave as is seen through his writings, jotting down stories of their lives in Alaska, digitizing family photos, and self-publishing a book his own father wrote - a work of fiction in the “old Western” tradition. Dave loved a good Western.

Dave and Shirley moved to Wichita, KS in 1991 to be closer to family where they again helped wherever they could. They attend Evangelical First Free Church. Dave invited Jesus into his life at age 5 and was a man who followed Christ in all things, sharing God’s love with his family and others, exemplifying what it means to be a good and faithful servant.

Memorial contributions can be made to: Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Wichita Union Rescue Mission Wichita

Alzheimer’s Association Wichita

Memorial Service to be held on Monday, July 28, at 2 pm. Culbertson-Smith Mortuary Chapel, 115 S. Seneca, Wichita, KS