Donald Eugene Smith, 77, went to Heaven on Sunday, November 13, 2022. He was surrounded by his wife and children expressing their love, singing hymns, reading scriptures, and sharing stories as he passed into Glory. Don was well-loved, and will be deeply missed by his family, numerous friends, and community members.

Don was born on October 3, 1945, in Maryville, Missouri. He was the first-born son of Gene and Mildred Smith, Fairfax, Missouri. Don grew up on the farm in Fairfax and graduated from Fairfax High School in 1963. He attended Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, for two years. Then, he transferred to the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated in 1968 with a degree in Agriculture.

Don married Nancy Broermann on November 11, 1967, at the Baptist Church in Moberly, Missouri. They celebrated their 55^th wedding anniversary on November 11, 2022. Don credited his wife for being the rock in the family. To this union three children were born: Kerri Leigh, Melissa Ann, and Donald Christopher.

Don was affectionately known by many as “Farmer” because of his passion for farming and all things ag related. In 1970, Farmer was given the opportunity of a lifetime when asked to farm the Keith Seymour Estate located southwest of Fairfax in the Milton community, and this has been home for over 51 years. During his lifetime, Farmer and his wife also raised thousands of hogs, farrow to finish, earning him numerous local, county, and state pork producer awards. Farming the land was not only his motivation in life, but also his hobby. Farmer was known to have a herd of cattle just to enjoy, with his favorite time being calving season. He also had a love for horses which gave him great joy all his life. This lifetime interest is one he passed down to his children and grandchildren. This was evidenced during Papa Don and Nanny’s family campouts hosted at their farm. These special times were filled with horseback riding as well as motorcycle riding, paintball wars, and homemade water slides. Family times were full of adventure, life lessons, and Papa Don’s advice.

Don was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, Fairfax Masonic Lodge #483, Scottish Rite of Free Masonry and Moila Shrine, and was currently serving on the Fairfax Drainage District Board.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Gene and Mildred Smith, father-in-law and mother-in-law Gene and Mary Lou Broermann, and brother-in-law Richard Broermann. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Smith of Fairfax; daughters, Kerri (Larry) Ohrt of Watson, Missouri and Melissa (Benne) Rogers of Hamburg, Iowa, son, Chris (Mandy) Smith of Fairfax; ten grandchildren, Michael Ohrt of Westboro, Missouri, Baleigh (Tyler) Heits of Rock Port, Missouri, Taylor Rogers of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Madison Ohrt of Mound City, Missouri, Tim (Keely) Rogers of Hamburg, Ty and Caroline Rogers of Hamburg, Josh, Jasey, and Jaxson Smith of Fairfax; great-grandchildren, Turner Heits of Rock Port, and Myla Rogers of Hamburg; sister, Renea (Steve) Prather of Tarkio, Missouri, and brothers, Bill (Vickie) Smith of Fairfax, and John David Smith of Fairfax; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Mike and Katherine Cox of Tarkio and David and Vickie Broermann of Cameron, Missouri; host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M., Thursday, November 17, 2022, Fairfax Presbyterian Church, Fairfax.

Open visitation begins 9:00 A.M., Wednesday, November 16, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Missouri. There is no scheduled family visitation.

Interment: Milton Cemetery, Fairfax.

Memorials: Community Hospital-Fairfax, Fairfax.

Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

www.minterfuneralchapels.com