Donald Hoy Smith, Jr.
October 18, 2018
Donald Hoy Smith, Jr.
67, retired Wichita North High School Art and Ceramics teacher, passed away Thursday, October 18, 2018. Vigil Service, 7 p.m., Monday, October 22; Funeral Mass, 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 23, both at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Donald was a graduate of Wichita State University. Prior to teaching, he worked as a graphic artist at Boeing, and in retirement, he taught drivers education. Donald was preceded in death by his parents Ruth and Donald Hoy Smith, Sr. Survivors include his wife, Patty; daughters, Emily, Elizabeth and Katherine Smith all of Wichita; sons, Daniel Smith of Wichita, William Smith of Golden, CO; sister, Arden Murillo of Wichita; brother, David “Tod” (Valda) Smith of Farmington, NM, along with numerous other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial established with Catholic Charities Adult Day Services, 437 N. Topeka, Wichita, KS 67202. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.
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I am North High class of 99. Mr. Smith was a teacher that always stood out in my mind. I was always so excited to be in his class. He always made me feel comfortable and excited to explore via art. Im saddened to hear of his passing. My thoughts are with his family and friends. You are fondly remembered.
Mr. Smith was my pottery teacher for four years while in high school. My senior year he encouraged me to become his teachers assistant. His class was one of the very few that I looked forward to going to everyday. We would eat lunch together in his room. He was always so welcoming and so giving. So sorry to hear he passed. After I graduated, I came back to see him for a few years. He was always happy to see his old students and guide us for our future. I learned so many things from him that Ill never forget. Mr. Smith was one of the few people I know that genuinely cared for his students and what they got out of his class. He will definitely be missed. Rest In Peace.
I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that those who die are kept in Gods memory, because they are precious in his eyes. May the God of peace give you comfort in your time of grief – Psalm 94:18, 19
Mr. Smith was one of my all time favorite teachers. I had him in pottery at North and then Art Appreciation in College. He was always so nice, caring and patient. Whenever I saw him out places he always remembered me and asked how I was doing. He was the coolest and he will definitely be missed. My condolences to all his family and friends.
Im sorry your gone but your in a better place now
Libby and family,
I am so sorry for your loss! Now is the time to call on the Lord to help you through. God bless you and your family. My prayers are with you.
Sharon Pauls
Sharon Pauls
To Patty and children, Tod and Arden: We are extremely touched and saddened by Dons passing. Through the years we have come to treasure our special relationship and count it as one of our dearest. The wonderful conversations and laughter from our Boeing days up to the present will continue to be with us and we will cherish them always. It is said that friendship does not end at death. It is eternal. “Verus amicus est tanquam alter idem” – A true friend is like another self. With love, George & Clarisse Clark
Don was a very nice manager when he worked at Indian Hills Swim Club. Sorry for your loss.
Sorry for the loss of your love one, may you find comfort in knowing that those who have passed on in death God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. Psalms 116:15.
In loving memory of a wonderful teacher. We will miss you always. Prayers to the whole family.
Sorry for your loss. Don was always a very nice person.
My condolences to the family. Don was such a wonderful person. He always made me feel welcomed and appreciated. My prayers are with you all.
I am shocked and saddened by Dons passing. Don was one of my oldest and dearest friends. A mild and gentle man. Don and I have been friends since we were twelve years old and shared many adventures together. From Junior High capers, to camping in high school and road trips in college we often found ourselves together experiencing new life adventures. We rented apartments together in college which was the first experience ‘on our own’ for both of us. At that time Don gave me a collage he had made for art class at WSU. The collage hangs above our fire place and has gone with me everywhere for 48 years. We worked at the WSU Library together at that time and shared many a late night philosophical discussion of life and the current events of those turbulent times. Although I have not lived in Wichita in over 25 years I almost always saw Don when I visited Wichita. One of the last times was six years ago when both our Mothers died with in the space of two months. Another shared life experience. I am thinking of Don many times a day as something reminds me of some experience we had together and I can hear his easy laugh and imagine his generous smile. It is hard to believe he is gone so soon. My condolences to Patty and the children, and to Arden and Todd
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.