Donald R. Smith, Sr. passed away peacefully on the evening of Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the age of 89.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Lillian (Johnson) Smith; three brothers, John, Freddie, and Roy; his younger sister, Edith Beers; his two oldest sons, Don Jr. and Brian; and his son-in-law, Rebel Crosno.

He is survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Elaine (Snider) Smith; his sister, Roseanna Beard; his daughter, Rae Jean; his daughter-in-law, Jo; and his son, Aron (Mary). Don was also blessed with eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was a trusted neighbor, the patriarch of the street, and someone everyone knew they could count on.

Born at home on January 29, 1937, in Old Du Quoin, Illinois, Don hunted and fished from an early age and enjoyed countless adventures around the “old home place.” Never content to be left behind by his older siblings, he repeatedly followed them to school and was promptly sent back home each time until one day his father carried him into the old one-room schoolhouse and demanded that the teacher place his boy directly into first grade — a request to which they promptly conceded.

After graduating in 1954, Don moved to St. Louis and found work as an electrician with McDonnell Douglas, where he helped build the F-4 fighter jet while simultaneously pursuing his dream career in law enforcement. Following several years as an auxiliary officer with the St. Ann Police Department, he rose through the ranks to become a sergeant for the now-defunct Bridgeton Terrace Police Department. In the late 1970s, he transitioned into private hotel security, retiring in 2002 after serving several years as Director of Security for Summerfield Suites in Maryland Heights, Missouri.

Don was a man of many talents. He could create lifelike colored pencil drawings, repair almost anything given enough time, daylight, and duct tape, and prepare delectable meals with the skill of a trained chef. He also knew how to look good in a suit and never failed to receive compliments on his signature matching ties and pocket squares.

Don loved yard work and gardening, and to think of him as anything less than a master gardener would do him a disservice. After purchasing the vacant lot next door, Don and Elaine gradually transformed it into a suburban Garden of Eden, growing an astonishing variety of vegetables. Once their deep freeze was filled to the brim, he would sell or give away the surplus to friends and neighbors alike. He was especially proud of each year’s bumper tomato crop and became known far and wide as the “Tomato Man,” selling beautiful red, pink, and yellow tomatoes from the back of his truck parked at the end of the street or from a makeshift stand at the end of his driveway.

Don was a man of tremendous faith, having been raised in the Southern Baptist tradition by his mother. After arriving in St. Louis, he and his young family joined Fee Fee Baptist Church, where he quickly began volunteering with the church youth ministry, serving as both a Sunday school teacher and a sponsor for the Royal Ambassadors boys’ discipleship program.

Years later, as a member of Westside General Baptist Church, Don served as Head Usher and shared his love of cooking by spending many summer Saturdays hunched over the barbecue pit grilling pork steaks or preparing potato salad for church community dinners. Most importantly, Don served as the spiritual leader of his family and witnessed his children and many of his extended family members commit their lives to the Lord.

Above all, Don loved his family. He was an exemplary husband and was absolutely devoted to Elaine, his wife of nearly five decades. Together, they worked tirelessly and sacrificed greatly to provide a safe and loving home for their children and grandchildren alike.

He was an extraordinary grandpa who loved wrestling and gardening with his brood of grandkids, and no summer sleepover was complete without helping him mow the yard on his riding mower. Don loved sharing his skills and wisdom, and it is fair to say he instilled his standard of morality and integrity in all who had the heart to learn from him — a standard best encapsulated by his motto: “Do what you have to do, just do right.”

A visitation for Don will be held on Saturday, May 30, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Collier’s Funeral Home, 3400 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Ann, Missouri. Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation, after which he will be interred during a brief graveside service at Old Du Quoin Cemetery in Old Du Quoin, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org and/or the American Heart Association www.heart.org