David Wayne Smith

David Wayne Smith Sr., 67 of Jacksonville, FL died peacefully Sunday, November 6th, 2022 at the McGraw Community Hospice Center in Jacksonville. Born in Fort Morgan, Colorado David was the eldest child of the late Araminta “Nikki” and Richard Lee “Dick” Smith.

Throughout his life, David resided in Colorado, California, Maryland, Georgia and Florida. During his teen and young adult years he lived in Atlantic Beach and enjoyed surfing and playing the guitar. He attended Fletcher High School for several years, then graduated from Sandalwood High School in 1974, and Florida Community College Jacksonville in 1977.

While attending school in Jacksonville, David worked at the Alhambra Dinner Theater. He moved to Atlanta in 1977 and started part-time at U-Haul Co. of W. GA working his way up to Store Manager. David met Patricia, they married and returned to Jacksonville where they raised their family for the past 36 years. David continued to work for U-Haul Co. in N. FL as a Store Manager, he was then promoted to Rental Company President. David however wanted to pursue work in a different field. His hobby was electronics, then personal computers and so he taught himself to write computer code, so after 20 years at U-Haul he changed his career. In 1997 David followed his passion and gained employment at Convergys Corp. in Jacksonville as a Systems Analyst and Programmer where he worked for 19+ years until his cancer diagnosis.

David lived six years battling colon cancer with the help of the many professionals at Mayo Clinic. Throughout his illness David became more sympathetic of the children who were enduring their own cancer battle and felt strongly about donating to cancer research and organizations that assist children and their families such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

David is survived by his wife Patricia Nelson Smith of 39 years, and two children whom he was extremely proud, son David Wayne Smith Jr. (Claire) and step-daughter Christine Slaughter (Tom Burnett). He cherished his six grandchildren; Morgan, Scout, Olivia, David “Wayne” III, Grant, and Naomi, all who reside in Jacksonville. His sister Gwen Eda Smith Shields resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, and he has half-siblings who reside in Colorado, Randall Lynn Smith of Loveland, Rashell Lanay Fritzler of Merino, and Rodney Lee Smith of Wellington.

A memorial celebration for David will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Hardage-Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home 4000 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32207. In lieu of flowers, please designate memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GreenlawnJacksonville.com for the Smith family.