September 1925 – September 2025
Richard “Don” Smith has passed away peacefully at home in California surrounded by his family. He was just shy of his 100th birthday. Don was born in Ontario, Canada, and, as a boy, emigrated with his family to Dearborn, Michigan. Don often shared favorite childhood memories of summers spent at the Amherst Point family cottage where he learned to sail. He also enjoyed classical music having played the flute, accompanied by his mother on the piano. In fact, one of his last outings this year was to hear Mozart’s Requiem — a very special evening.
During WWII, Don volunteered for the Army Air Corps and was trained as a bombardier. He was honored to have served, proudly wearing his WWII Veteran cap, especially in his later years.
After the war, Don attended the University of Michigan on the GI Bill, graduating with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. His first teaching job at Jefferson Jr. High School in Detroit was fortuitous, as this is where he met another young teacher who was to be the love of his life. Don and Nancy were married for 70 years and their devotion to one another over those many years never diminished. To Don, Nancy was forever “my bride.”
Don, Nancy, and their daughters Rachel and Gretchen moved from Michigan to southern California in the 1960s. Don helped open Edison High School in Huntington Beach. He thoroughly enjoyed his years there as a guidance counselor, often reflecting on the camaraderie amongst the staff. And at every Friday home football game, Don could be found working in the announcer’s booth, keeping stats on the game.
Family summer vacations were always a priority. Don and his family first visited Ouray in 1961 and returned to spend the entire summer in 1967 when they rented a house (that came with a burro) and a jeep from Johnny Johnson. The family put over 2,000 miles on the Jeep that summer, igniting a deep love and appreciation for the mountains, history, and people of Ouray. Don and Nancy made many dear friends with whom they shared adventures over the years. Some highlights for Don included playing fast pitch softball for the Royal Ouray Yacht Club team, helping Johnny Johnson retrieve stuck rental Jeeps from high country roads (often by starlight), cooking raspberry pancakes over an open fire, and sharing Ouray with his grandson Ian.
Recently, Don was able to visit his home in Ouray and visit with dear friends on his beloved front porch.
Deeply embedded in all of Don’s actions was a generosity of spirit and a love of family and friends. Whether he was leading a Jeep trip to show friends an interesting, little-traveled high country road, taking leftover cement to a neighbor’s to patch a broken step, or quietly being a role model for his grandson, he always wanted to support the people in his life. In his later years, Don’s kindness, humor, and patience were what touched his family most. Even after the passing of his dear Nancy in early 2024, Don continued living each day with courage, grace, and gratitude. He was a joy to be with and will be sorely missed.
Don is preceded in death by his treasured wife, Nancy, with whom he raised a family and traveled the world. He is survived by his daughters Rachel (Kate Grasso) and Gretchen, grandson Ian, and dear friend and caregiver, Maria Zamora. Special thanks to all the wonderful friends in California, Colorado, and Michigan who enriched Don’s long and very happy life.
A Celebration of Life in Ouray is pending. In memory of Don, the family asks for donations to Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, P.O. Box 220, Ouray, CO 81427 or Cedar Hill Cemetery, P.O. Box 1123, Ouray, CO 81427.
Ouray County Plaindealer • 2025
