Donald Lewis Smith

With great sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Donald “Don” Lewis Smith of Colbert, Georgia, who passed peacefully surrounded by family on June 29th at the age of 85 after sudden health complications. Most recently, Don was residing at Talmadge Terrace in Athens, Georgia. Born in Jackson, Michigan on November 23, 1936, he is the second of four children (Kelvin Smith, Loretta Church, and Nancy Teel) and predeceased by his parents, Lewis and Elizabeth “Betty” Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Boonchu Smith, 5 children and 5 grandchildren: Daughter, Donna Y Smith and granddaughter Kira Gruber, son Daniel M Smith and grandchildren, Apolo and Alessia Smith, daughter Catherine “Catie” and son-in-law John Pizzichemi and grandchildren Emma and Gracie Pizzichemi, daughter Kattariya “Kat” and son-in-law Eric Evans, and son Parinya “Nat” Smith. He also leaves behind deep connections to friends that he made throughout his life.

Earning his doctorate in Linguistics from the University of Michigan, he taught and conducted research within several prestigious universities including the University of Georgia and the University of Hawaii. For over 30+ years of his career, he was in Japan as a professor at Kyoto University and Aoyama Gakuin University.

Don was a true renaissance man. A lifelong pacifist and conscientious objector, he had a passion for learning and deeply loved his family, friends, and students. He explored different cultures, learned languages and taught skills to many. He enjoyed baking, gardening and music. In recent years, he was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Athens where he found fellowship and engagement with the community in a way that aligned with his passion for social justice.

The family will hold a celebration of his life in November of this year which will be live streamed for those who are not physically there, as he had friends in many places, some abroad.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don Smith’s name to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Athens: https://www.uuathensga.org/living-our-values/

Donations Page: https://onrealm.org/UUFA/give/DonSmith

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com