David James Smith

David James Smith, age 74 died peacefully at Bronson Hospital on August 9, 2024, after a long battle with lung & heart issues. He was born June 5, 1950, to Carlos William Smith Sr. & Lena Burr Fries from Mount Clemons, Michigan. Dave worked on the family produce farm growing up. He was also trained as an X-ray Technician in Louisiana. After graduation from Richmond High School in Richmond, Michigan, Dave moved to the Battle Creek area taking on the trade of a welder & mechanic. Dave could fix anything. Dave found his way to Colorado staying with family and working as a welder, while spending time adventuring, hiking and camping on family property in Southern Colorado. Upon moving back to Bellevue, Michigan. Dave purchased a piece of property creating ponds and nature’s paradise. Dave loved birds (except hawks), having pet crows, ravens growing up and eventually raising pheasants & quail at his property in Bellevue for many years. His latest adventure was Bee Keeping. You could always count on Uncle Dave having a crescent wrench, pair of pliers, and a dog named Mitsi in his Carhart jacket. He loved & cherished his Chiwawa dogs. Dave spent fifteen years working for Duckworth Brothers Concrete Construction, becoming efficient at concrete finishing, form setter, with attention to detail. Dave was a true concrete artist & technician. Dave was known for his MacGuivering skills. After retiring from Duckworth Brothers, Dave loved being at home raising Fowl for release, Pheasants, Quail, turkeys, (2) Ponds filled with Catfish, birds and trails to ride his golf cart around. I think Dave spent more time in a golf cart than in a vehicle. Dave loved fixing & tinkering with things from trucks, small equipment to Coleman oil lanterns. He loved taking something that was broken and make it work. Surviving Siblings are Janet Smith of Mount Clemons, Michigan, Bill Smith of Roscommon, Michigan, Norene (Smith) DeCastro of Cadillac, Michigan with many nieces and nephews. Deceased Siblings Sister Caroline Smith (Age 2), Sister Dolores May (Smith) Maxwell (Dolly), Brother Richard (Dick) Allen Smith, Brother Gary Lee Smith, Sister Eva Bess (Smith) Duckworth. Dave has taken his final journey of this lifetime to the other side. He will finally know what the rings of Saturn are made of. Happy Trails Uncle Dave – see you again one day. We all are sending you Love and Thank you for being you.