Donald Wistor Smith

Donald Wistor Smith, 83, of Houston, Texas, went to be with his Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven on August 5, 2024. Don was born on June 17, 1941, in Waco, TX to Anna Katherine and Donald Smith. He was the oldest of four children.

Don experienced a full and joyful life for over eight decades. As a child, his family moved often, living in various cities like Waco, Dallas, and Little Rock, AR. Don attended the University of Oklahoma where he held a number of distinguished roles, such as Senior Class Treasurer, Top 10 Senior Men, Production Manager of OU’s “Sooner Scandals”, VP of OU’s Union Activity’s Board, and was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, as well as being included on the honor list of Letzeiser’s “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities”.

After graduation, Don moved to Ft. Worth, TX where he worked for Price Waterhouse, as a CPA which ultimately had him move to Houston. In Houston, Don changed industries and worked for various oil and gas companies before starting his own business. Houston is also where he faithfully joined Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, and met his wife, Virginia.

Don was a devoted family man and spiritual leader of the family. He was very involved in the church and held many leadership roles there, including serving as an Elder, Chairman of the Building Campaign, and being on the search team to find long-time pastor, now retired, Dave Peterson.

In addition to his deep faith and devotion to the church, Don’s true joy in life was his family. As a youth, Don was a guiding inspiration to his two younger sisters. As a father of four sons, Don was involved in all of their youth activities. Whether it be coaching or serving as Cub or Scout Master in their Scout Troops, Don was always present in their lives. Family travel was also important – from the annual Spring Break ski trips, summer road trips, church retreats and accomplishing the goal to visit all 50 states -- you could say Don loved to experience the world. Later, Don loved to play games, like Rummikub, with all of his grandchildren.

Finally, the family would like to recognize all of Don’s “Angels”. After Don’s diagnosis and surgeries 25 years ago, the Church and Don’s Angels rallied around him volunteering countless hours towards his continued spiritual health, as well as his physical recovery. The family is eternally grateful to all who helped lift up Don and Virginia’s spirits over these last 25 years!

Don’s deep faith and love for the Lord has impacted us all. He did not fear death and is now sitting at the right hand of his Lord and Savior.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Donald and Anna Katherine Smith and his brother, Ricky Smith.

Don is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 45 years, Virginia Smith, his four sons and 12 grandchildren Brad (and Kathy) Smith and Garrett, Connor, Kelsey (and Kristian) Voelkel, Tate Daugherty; Neal (and Lisa) Smith and Miles, Hudson; Matthew (and Erica) Smith and Saylor, Gray, Hadley; Will (and Nicole) Smith and Addison, Blakely, Bennett; his sisters Janet (and Bob) Logan and JoAnne Midwikis; his niece Ashley (James) Kimery and extended family, as well as his devoted caregiver, Claudia Aguirre.

Services will be held to honor Don on Monday, August 19th at 11:00 am at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77024.

Memorial gifts in Don’s name may be made to either listing below or the charity of your choice

• Free Wheelchair Mission at www.freewheelchairmission.org or

• Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church at www.MDPC.org/giving/generosity/