Don Cleo

Smith

Don Cleo Smith, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died on December 6, 2022, at Electra Memorial Hospital. Born on October 4, 1948, he was the son of the late Clyde and Ruby Smith, and grew up in Iowa Park, Texas.

He met his wife, Janet, at Emmanuel Baptist Church where they were married in June 1968.

Don joined the Army in June 1967.  He was a decorated Vietnam War Veteran, and was also able to travel to more desirable duty stations like Georgia, Germany (where he and his wife enjoyed skiing the Alps), Washington (where they adopted two of their children), and Kentucky (where they had two more children and spent time as a family exploring the outdoors) before retiring from the U.S. Army in 1987, and moving back to the Wichita Falls area. He and his wife later adopted another child - they raised all five of their kids with love, compassion, and of course, lots of dad humor.

After retiring he helped create, and then managed, the Recycling Center at Sheppard Air Force Base for many years.

Don could never pass up a good deal and was an avid collector. He loved camping, traveling, and barbecued ribs.  He adored his grandchildren and having a dog as a companion on his long car trips.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Judy Boaz and his faithful dog Pierre.

Don leaves behind a loving family in his wife of 54 years, Janet, his children, Nicole (& husband Herb), Shawn (& wife Kristal), Timothy, Doug (& wife Tara), and Thaddeus, as well as grandchildren Patrick (& wife Samantha), Ashlyn, Halleigh, Ella, Andrew, Riley, Blayr, Ian, and Jet, and a brother Frank (& wife Sandra).

Visitation with family will be on Dec. 12 from 6-7 pm at Falls Funeral Home, 1903 Austin St., Wichita Falls, TX 76301

Services will be held at 1 pm on Dec. 13, 2022 at Highland Cemetary Pavillion, 862 Roger's Rd, Iowa Park, TX 76367.