Donald Russell Smith, 80, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 13, 2024, surrounded by his adoring family after a brief battle with cancer. Don was born on January 12, 1944, in Meridian, Mississippi. After growing up in the small rural community of Henleyfield, Mississippi, Don graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Don then moved to Baton Rouge where he earned a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering from LSU. Don worked for Dow Chemical Company where he developed several patents for chemicals that are still used around the world today, but, more importantly to Don, where he also made lifelong friends. As a child and young adult, Don traveled the country competing in speaking and debate events. This love of language and oration inspired Don to pursue a law degree. His loving wife, Kay, supported him in this endeavor, and, in 1976, Don graduated Order of the Coif from LSU Law School, all while continuing to work for Dow Chemical and local law firms and parenting small children. Don practiced law for 44 years and was well respected by the Judges and the attorneys he practiced with and against throughout Louisiana. Don shared his love of the law with students as an Adjunct Professor at LSU Law School.
One of Don’s fondest memories was playing with his state championship high school basketball team under his mentor and coach, who with his teammates have remained friends for life. Don enjoyed weekly rounds of golf with cherished friends. Don continued his love of sports while attending countless sporting events across the South for his nine grandchildren. Not only will they miss his support and encouragement, but they will also miss his clever humor, his yarns, his time spent with them in the garden, cooking, bird watching, hunting, fishing, golfing, camping, trapping animals, having tea parties, and their summer trips to the beach. Don was an avid reader and built a library in his home with books stacked two deep, his favorites of which were those by William Faulkner. He could recite countless poems and continuously impressed his children and grandchildren with the depth of his knowledge on even the most obscure subject. Don was a true southern gentleman and his warmth and wit were extended to everyone he met. He will be remembered for his brilliant mind, his strong work ethic, his fairness and honesty, his compassion and humility.
Don was married to the love of his life, Kay Waggenspack Smith, for 55 years. He was a dedicated husband and father to three children of which he was extremely proud. He is survived by his wife, Kay, his son Dr. Adrian Russell Smith (Jessica) of Jackson, Mississippi, his daughters Lauren Hensgens (Scott) and Gretchen Qvistgaard=Petersen (Preston), both of Baton Rouge, and his grandchildren Olivia Ansley Smith, Luke Russell Smith, Samuel Covington Smith, Caroline Scott Hensgens, George Nikolaus Hensgens, Henry Russell Hensgens, Thomas Claude Q=Petersen, Adele Lauren Q=Petersen, and Helen Claire Q=Petersen. He is also survived by his sister, Rebecca Scogin. Don was preceded in death by his parents Lee Russell Smith and Inez Marie Smith. Visitation will be held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Friday, July 19, 2024, from 9:00-11:00am, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
