Donald Dale Smith

Donald Dale Smith died January 18, 2012. He died peacefully in his home at Emerald Heights in Redmond Wash., surrounded by family. Don was born in Ritzville on October 27, 1925, the fourth of five children born to John T.A. and Clara (Nissen) Smith. He graduated from Ritzville High School in 1943. He joined the Navy on his 18th birthday (coincidentally Navy Day), and went to officer and pilot training at St. Mary’s College in Minnesota. His Navy career gave him a chance to fly, travel and advance. He retired a Captain in 1971 after deploying on 19 aircraft carriers, serving in different roles....