Funeral services for Donald LeRoy Smith, 90, of Scottsbluff, who died Saturday, June 22,2024 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, July 12,2024 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Jeffery Grams officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, July 11,2024 at Bridgman Funeral Home from 4-7 pm. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials in Don’s honor be made in care of St. John’s Lutheran Church or the American Lung Association. Online condolences may be made by viewing Don’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com.
Don was born on February 20,1934 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Dave and Lydia (Funk) Smith. He grew up in Scottsbluff and graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1952. Don received his associate degree from Scottsbluff Junior College and later continued his education at the Colorado School of Banking. Don and Phyllis Pletcher were joined in marriage on September 18,1955 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Scottsbluff, spending nearly 70 years together. He served in the army from October 1956 to October 1958. Don’s more than 60-year career in banking began at Scottsbluff National Bank as a teller, and he retired as Executive Vice President. He was instrumental in the start-up of Platte Valley Financial Services Companies and retired as Vice Chairman of the Board in 2020. Don enjoyed playing golf, working in the yard, cheering for the Huskers and spending time with his family and friends. He and Phyllis kept up with the activities of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and traveled to visit them whenever they could.
Don was a life-long member of St. John’s Lutheran Church serving in both leadership and teaching roles as he shared his love of God with others. His faith was an important part of his life, and he began each day with a morning devotion. Don was also a past member of the Lion’s Club, coach for 23 Club baseball teams and served on the Western Nebraska Community College Foundation Board.
He is survived by his wife Phyllis of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; children, Pam (Lee) Hammond of Leland, North Carolina; Wendy Smith of Leland, North Carolina; Mark (Kim) Smith of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; grandchildren, Lindsey (Josh Patterson) Hammond of Athens, Georgia, Kevin (Alina Suyama) Hammond of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Adam (Amber) Smith of Lincoln, Nebraska, Cole (Alyssa) Smith of Gilbert, Arizona, Mason Smith of Phoenix, Arizona; three great-grandchildren William Kooiker of Orange City, Iowa; Fletcher Smith of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Weston Hammond of Mechanicsville, Virginia. Don is also survived by his brother Bob (Phyllis) Smith of Littleton, Colorado; his sister, Mary Ann McCuistion of Huntington Beach, California; nieces and their spouses Julie (Steve) Harris, Jill (Jay) Apala, and Nicole (Kyle) Wohlgemuth; and nephew, Mike Smith.
He was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law Hawk McCuistion, Laverne Pletcher and Wayne Pletcher; sisters-in-law Dorothy Pletcher and Ruth Pletcher; and his parents and grandparents.