David passed away peacefully in his home Saturday morning in Springfield MO. David was born and raised in Muskogee, Oklahoma where he held the State High School pole vaulting record for several years. He graduated from Tulsa University in 1964 where he studied Commercial Art, and was Missouri Valley Conference pole vault champion in 1961 and 1962. The 1961-62 Missouri Valley team championship was recently recognized as one of the top 10 athletic achievements at the University of Tulsa. He was an Art Director at Baker & Associates in Springfield for over 35 years.
David was 1 of 5 children born to the late Leota Ruth Croman Smoot and Wilburn Howard Smoot. Preceeding him in death was his sister Mary Evelyn Hall.
He was the beloved husband of Jimmie Janice Snider Smoot for over 50 years.
David will be remembered by his sisters and brother, Lolita Myers, Nola Sue Falwell and Delbert Smoot. Children Stacye Smoot Rinehart and Bill of Jackson, MS., Jason Smoot, Sally and Grandchildren Mason and Sawyer of Ozark, MO and Bailey Smoot and Jen of Branson, MO. Sister-in-law Lynna Schonert and husband David, Little Rock, AR., along with numerous friends and family.
David had many close friends including “The Ozark Bunch”. He was an avid sports fan who loved fishing, floating on the Buffalo River in Arkansas, baking biscuits in a dutch oven over an open fire, playing guitar and drinking ice-cold Budweiser. He was a gifted artist and spirited soul.
Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation on Wednesday Dec 21, 2011 from 1 to 3 pm at Greenlawn Funeral Home East located at, 3540 East Seminole Springfield MO. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Buffalo River Foundation in David’s name, P.O. Box 55, Ponca, AR 72670.