Donald "DK" Kenneth Smith

Donald Kenneth “DK” Smith, 78, of Crossett, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 1, 2017, at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home.  He was born in El Dorado, Arkansas on May 19, 1939, and after losing his mother at age 2, and his father at age 14, had to begin working at a movie theater as a projector operator to help support his younger sister.

In 1958, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, which he served proudly with honor.  After discharge, he returned to his hometown and began working for the Rock Island Railroad.  In the early 60’s, he moved to Crossett and began his long career with the Ashley Drew & Northern Railway Co. where he worked as an engineer, trainmaster, and eventually the Operational Superintendent.  He remained there until AD&N closed in June of 1996, and was the last one to lock the depot door.

DK enjoyed camping, playing guitar, making people laugh, taking kids skiing, family road trip vacations, and especially loved old cars.   His love for antique and street rod cars eventually led to the first official meeting of the Klassy Kruzers Street Rod Club in his living room in February of 1990.  He held the office of president of the club twice and remained active until his health deteriorated and then became an honorary member.

DK was a member of Beech Street Baptist Church, a loving husband, dad, and “Papaw Choo Choo”.  He will be forever missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Eva Manley Smith; one sister, Marketa Thurlkill; and one son, Gary Don Smith.

He is survived by his loving wife, Glenda Ware Smith of Crossett; one son, Don Smith, Jr. of Hatfield, AR; three daughters, Debbie Watts and husband, Tombo, of El Dorado, Wendy Bowles and husband, Philip, of Milo, and Rosetta Medders and husband, Keith, of Crossett; four grandsons, Ray Dodge, Jeremy Perdue, and Cody and Jacob Dehart; five granddaughters, Hali Jeffers, Emily Medders, Stephanie Foreman, Brooke Loomis, and Maggie White; and five great-grandchildren, Peyton Huffstetler, Addison Dodge, Landon Jeffers, Gavin Medders, and Shannon Perdue.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 6th at Medders Funeral Home Chapel, 1564 Hwy 52 W, Crossett, with Pastor Donnie Dubose, officiating, followed by an interment at Craig Cemetery in El Dorado.  Pallbearers are Ray Dodge, Cody Dehart, Jacob Dehart, Corey Jeffers, Bill Nance, Thomas Glen Childers, Johnny Seach, and Billy Mack Watt.  Honorary pallbearers are the Klassy Kruzers Street Rod Club and his AD&N family.

Visitation will be from 2: 00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, November 5th at Medders Funeral Home.

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