Donald Smith

Donald â??Donâ? Edward Smith, 76 of Martin Lane Claremont died Friday November 21, 2008 at Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba Valley. Born October 16, 1932 he was the son of the late Robert D. Smith and Margaret Derlia Loranger Smith. Don spent most of his youth and adult life residing in New Jersey suburbs of New York City. As a young man he was a semi-professional boxer and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict, volunteering for several missions into combat zones to relieve US Army and Marine units nearly cut off and surrounded by Chinese and North Korean troops. He was discharged from the US Air Force in 1953 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was employed by the New Jersey Transit Authority and eventually retired to North Carolina. He settled in Claremont during the mid 1990â??s and was employed with Griffithâ??s Security as a night guard with CommScope. Don was recently honored on his 76th birthday by a city-wide proclamation, honoring his service to his country and community by Claremont Mayor Glen Morrison. He was also honored with the presentation of the Korean 50th Anniversary Commemorative medal as well as recognition from N.C. House Representative Mitchell Setzer and gifts from numerous coworkers and local merchants. Don will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A sister, Margaret â??Pegâ? DiLeonardo of Port Charlotte, Florida survives him. A Patriotic Celebration of Donâ??s life will be 4:00 p.m. Thursday December 4, 2008 in the chapel of Jenkins Funeral Home. The Maiden High School JROTC will present colors and the American Legion Post 16 Honor Guard will provide military rites. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Donâ??s memory to Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton NC 28658. Condolence messages may be sent to www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the Smith family.