Douglas Smith

Douglas Lee Smith was born on August 21st, 1953, in Leon, IA, to Robert and Cheryl (Baker) Smith. They later made their home in Des Moines, IA, where Doug attended elementary school and graduated from Lincoln High school in 1971. In 1974 Doug joined the US Navy and served during the Viet Nam War.

Doug was united in marriage to Deborah F. (Sneller) Smith and son Shane D. Craft on May 16th, 1986, at a Grace United Methodist Church in Davenport, IA. Married 36 years, they also made their home in Des Moines, IA.

Doug worked many years in the grocery business and at Prairie Meadows before retiring. Doug was an avid sports fan; we went to as many Yankees games as possible. If the Yankees or a Bears game was on TV, we had to watch it. If he couldn’t find one on TV, you would see him sitting in the pickup or car wearing his Yankees cap and t-shirt, listening to the game on SiriusXM. One time I asked him why the Yankees and the Bears. He said it was the only thing on TV when I was a kid.

Doug loved getting together to play cards with family. Family reunions and holidays were one of his favorite times of the year, with good food and fun games. He especially enjoyed it when the great-grandchildren, Suraiya and Khaleaf, would come over.

After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and years of declining health, his hobbies became watching TV and working on crossword puzzles. His favorite shows were Perry Mason and Law and Order. One time I said to him you’ve watched the same show over and over. He responded, “so there might have been something I might have missed.” At 6:30 pm every evening, he would holler Wheel of Fortune is on. I would come in no matter what I was doing and say you better get your game face on; I’m going to kick your butt. Whenever he solved a puzzle, he would say, “One for me. How many do you have?”

After battling Parkinson’s disease for the last 15 years, Doug passed away on July 25th, 2022, at Lutheran in Des Moines, IA. He was a gentle and kind soul and will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Left to cherish Doug’s memory are his wife, Debbie Smith, stepson Shane (Angie) Craft, whom he proudly called his son; grandchild, Nicole (Mike) Jones, two great-grandchildren, Suraiya and Khleaf Jones, mother Cheryl Smith, sisters, Karmen (Mike) Lawrence and Lori Smith, along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends. Doug was preceded in death by his father, Robert Smith.

A celebration of life will be held on his birthday Sunday, August 21st, 2022, from 1 pm to 4 pm. at the Fort Des Moines United Methodist Church, 6205 SW 9th, Des Moines, IA 50315, where Doug attended services.

Burial will take place Monday, August 22, 2 pm, Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Dr. in Adel, Iowa 50003. Minister: Pastor Steve Taylor is presiding. Please meet us at the United Methodist Church at 1:15pm to form a procession to the cemetery.

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