Donald Eugene Smith Sr., age 79, died October 22, 2011 at Cox South Health Center in Springfield. He was the first born of five children to Cecil Frederick and Evelyn Fern (Blackwell) Smith on April 22, 1932 in Larned, Kansas. The family moved several times during the depression and dust storms. His mother recalled placing wet sheets over the window and crib to keep dust out. They settled in Bison, Kansas, where Don graduated from high school. Don loved playing baseball and played Ban Johnson ball with several members of his family. He worked his way through college doing various jobs, including making grain bins in a sheet metal factory. In 1955, Don graduated from Kansas State Univ. with a B.S. in Flour and Feed Milling. In 1956 he began active duty in the U.S. Air Force as a radar operator near the D.E.W. line in Canada and in Louisiana along the gulf coast until 1959. He advanced to Captain in the reserves. Once off active duty, Don worked for Continental Grain in Topeka, KS, and Heningsen Food and Kraft Foods in Springfield, MO. When the Regional Crime Lab opened in 1970 he became its first director for 12 years. That was followed by jobs in Weld Co. CO and Ark. State Crime Lab. He retired in 1998 and did consulting for the Public Defender's Office for several years. Don married Maureen Babin in 1958 in Louisiana. They raised four sons and one daughter. He became active with Boy Scout troops and was very proud of his four sons becoming Eagle Scouts. He believed in education, attending Drury College's night classes and graduating with a M.B.A. He also attended multiple F.B.I. schools related to Forensic Science. Later for Drury, he taught Fire Science, Statistics and Economics classes. He was also very proud of his daughter and youngest son continuing their education to the master's level. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Maureen; children, Kenneth B of Paducah, KY, Don Jr. of Springfield, Mary (William) S. Dunham of St. Charles, MO, Charles E. of Springfield, Theodore B. (Krista) of Vienna, VA; grandchildren, Elise, Sarah, Billy, Katherine and Lewis Dunham, Josef "Alex" Smith, Calvin, Henry and Oliver Smith; brother, Larry Dee Smith of Las Cruces, NM; and sister, Evelyn "Kay" Quiroz of Tucson, AZ; four nieces and four nephews. He is predeceased by his parents; brothers, Jack Wesley Smith and Cecil Richard Smith; and a nephew B. Jay Smith. Don lived his life for his family, his job, believing in education, hard work, fixing his own home and autos, tinkering in the garage and making things for the yard and garden. Funeral mass will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with The Reverend Simons Le celebrant. Burial will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to The Alzheimer's Association, 1630 W. Elfindale, Springfield, MO 65807, or The American Diabetes Association, 1944-A Sunshine, Springfield, MO 65804.