David Lon Smith

68, of Phoenix, Arizona entered the presence of the Lord on February 6th 2011 with his family by his side. David was born in Phoenix on June 30th, 1942 to Percy and Jackie Smith. He attended Dysart Elementary School, and graduated from Peoria High School in 1960. After High School, he began his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas; then completed his degree at Arizona State University. He later earned a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling and a Masters of Arts degree in High School Administration at Arizona State University. Upon completion of his degrees, David taught English at Dysart High School and was an assistant football coach. From there he became a counselor at Apollo High School. In 1973, be became Assistant Principal at Greenway High School and the pitching coach for the softball team. He completed his education career as a counselor at Sunnyslope High. David will be remembered for his friendship by everyone he met. He was the kind of person who didn’t have just acquaintances, he had friends. There wasn’t a person he met that he didn’t call a friend, and if he knew you more than a couple of days, he’d refer to you as a best friend. He had a special gift of devotion for the confused or brokenhearted and was a troubled young person’s shelter in a storm. The more challenging the circumstances, the more he wanted to help. He truly liked and cared for his counselees and their families and had a way with all kids to inspire them to be their best. David is survived by his wife Antoinette, his son Peter (and wife Keyla), his grandson Caleb, his sister Margene (and husband Gary), and Peter’s mother Linda. A celebration of David’s life will be held on Saturday, February 26th at 11am at West Resthaven Funeral Home, 6450 W. Northern Avenue, Glendale.