Donald Leon Smith

Donald Leon Smith, 75, of Magazine, Ark., passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. He was born May 21, 1948, in Paris, Ark. He was a graduate of the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark., and of Magazine High School. He was a member of Mensa International, the National Rifle Association, the ACLU, the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, and was a former competitor for the pistol marksmanship team in the Arkansas National Guard. A retired art teacher, he taught for 30 years in the Booneville, Lavaca, Magazine, and Paris school districts; he was a bus driver for the Booneville schools and a long-term substitute teacher at Western Yell County. He also worked at the Forest Service, Wolverine, Todays Kids, and Ace Comb. Donald enjoyed martial arts, shooting pool, traveling the mountains, reading, watching movies, playing his guitar and fiddle, painting, doing leather work, pistol shooting, and fishing. He designed the sign "Welcome to Booneville" and the Booneville coin. He loved classic cars and rock collecting, but most of all spending time with his kids, grandkids, family, and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Felix Smith; mother, Hazel Dean Beaver; and grandparents, Aron and Theora Grist. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Bulger Funeral Home Chapel, under the direction of Bulger Funeral Home. Donald is survived by his daughters, Raina Lyons (Jack) of Glasgow, Scotland and Landra Smith of Booneville, Ark.; stepsons, Joey Jones of Booneville, Ark., and William Jones of Paris, Ark.; brothers, Jack Beaver of Magazine, Ark., Billy Wayne Beaver of Wyoming, and Jerry Ezell of Fort Smith, Ark.; sister, Betty Reed of Magazine, Ark.; grandchildren, Adyn, Aryn, Aspyn, Anyn, and Aowyn Rink, and Thora Lyons; Five step-grandchildren; and other family and friends. www.bulgerfh.com.