David Michael Smith

David Smith,62, of Bryan, passed away in his home Friday, June 16, 2023. David was born February 12, 1961 in an army hospital at Fort Knox, Kentucky to Milton and Beverly Smith. He was the second child in a family of six children, and he made everything fun for all of us. With his strong devotion, teasing, and pranks, he was adored by all of the family.

As a teen, David was an active member of the youth group at Fletcher Emmanuel Baptist Church . He made camp and other events full of fun and surprises. Although his exterior was a tease, in reality, he had a heart of gold—if David was your friend, you knew he had your back. David accepted Christ and was baptized on May 16, 1976 with several of his peers and his sister Donna.

In 1979, David graduated from Lumberton High School, He had excellent grades and had many friends. There are multiple rumors that credit how he earned the nickname “Dog”, but it stuck and many know him by that name today. He definitely mastered the howl. On a family vacation, he started howling at the wolves at a botanical garden until the whole pack joined in chorus.

During summer breaks at A&M, he worked as an engineering helper in the Conroe GSU engineering department. In the afternoons, he coached his young brother in Conroe YMCA football. Other afternoons, he loaded Daddy’s boat with the 3 younger brothers and sisters to swim and tube in the cool deep waters.

While attending Texas A&M, he was a valued employee at a local car wash, where he met and married his bride, Mikki Bailey, of Bryan.  They married very young and started a family in 1984.  David was the backbone of his family.  He was a wonderful provider who made sure that his family had what they needed as well as making a way for as many of their wants as he could provide.  He loved spending time with his family.  He loved traveling with his beloved Mikki and they enjoyed memorable trips to Maine, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica. He loved good food and loved preparing meals that everyone could share together.  He was the epitome of a dependable servant.  Growing up, his kids knew they could count on him to be at all of their sporting events, cheering loudly in the stands, and finding ways to serve his kids’ teams any way he could serve.  He would chaperone field trips and all of their friends wanted to be assigned to his car.  When he became a “Poppy”, as his grandchildren lovingly called him, he was just as devoted.  His grandchildren could always count on him being at their games, plays, birthday parties, graduations, as well as just a part of their everyday life.  He was the proud dad in the stands, cheering on whatever team Chris was coaching.  He was present and involved.  He was also quite the competitor – whether it was playing in a softball league, beach volleyball, or games at family events.  He participated in many intense games of Scrabble with his sister Robin!  In his later years, he decided he was too competitive so chose not to be a player in the family games.  However, he just couldn’t help himself and would chime in from the background!  His smile was genuine and came easy.  His stories were often delayed from him not being able to speak from how hard he was laughing.  He showed his affection for those he loved by appointing nicknames, giving ‘love slaps’, and big hugs.  He was a selfless man.  He opened his home to so many and was willing to share what he had.  He enjoyed fishing and hunting and would take his kids and later on grandkids any opportunity he could.  He was an avid Aggie fan and enjoyed attending the games with his family and friends. If you knew David, you knew he was in an Aggie shirt, or at an Aggie game, or holding his grandkids or his dog, Lexi—in an Aggie shirt.   David was a loyal man to his family and friends.  His purpose in life was to be a father and he did it well, as there are many besides his own children that have considered him a father.  The same great qualities that made him who he was, are now found in his children.

For over 27 years, David was the general manager at Wolf Creek Car Wash in College Station. Owner, Bill Trainor and David were close like brothers and Bill speaks of David’s loyalty to run the business as if it were his own. “When David saw a piece of trash on the ground, he would stop and pick it up. He was a perfect employee who took the time and care to see and do the right thing. That is who he was. The employees loved him and were loyal because David cared for them.”  Throughout his career, David and Bill enjoyed many Aggie games—took vacations and conventions together and as a pinnacle of their friendship, celebrated the bountiful love of God during a Big Sky Country Walk to Emmaus in Abilene.

David lived a life of loyalty and was a humble man. He was a good businessman and received Manager of the Year from the Southwest Car Wash Association. His community relationships brought customers in to see him regularly, and had multiple job offers from his customers because he was brilliant, a fine leader, and was honored to serve others with joy. David made an excellent presentation to the Bryan City Counsel with a proposal to donate a strip of his grandfather’s pasture—which was accepted and made significant impacts for the city of Bryan—putting Beck Street in a position of value both residentially and commercially.

David was a wonderful father. He took his love, experiences and his mistakes—and he used it passionately to teach his children, nieces, nephews and his family to love God and live well. Together, he and Mikki raised a beautiful family.

David is survived by his wife, Mikki Bailey Smith of Bryan; their children Heather Squyres and husband Don of College Station, Chris Smith and wife Jennifer of Huntsville, Lauren Roberson of Bryan, Shelby Smith of Colorado, Austin Bailey of Bryan, and Madison Bailey of Bryan; his grandchildren include Michael and Maddox Hanna of College Station, Kiley Crocker of Willis, Carter and Garrett Squyres of Willis, Raeleigh, Kyndall, and Grant Benner of Huntsville, and Kyleigh Roberson of College Station; his father Milton Smith of Conroe; sister-in-law Lola Smith of Willis; sisters Robin Smith of Beaumont, Donna Cole and husband Robert of Lumberton; brother Stephen Smith and wife Tonya of Conroe; numerous nieces and nephews; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his beloved dog Lexi.

David was preceded in death by his grandparents Fred and Opal Finke of Bryan; James and Corrine Smith of Bryan; mother Beverly Finke Smith of Conroe; brother Jimmy Smith of Willis; sister Lori Smith of Beaumont; and nephews Micah and Charles Smith of Willis.

Service will be held at Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Center, 3001 S. College Avenue, Bryan on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 2pm, with visitation beginning at 1 pm.

Pastor Kevin Beachy will officiate the service.  Honorary pallbearers include Henry Hernandez, Jonathan Hernandez, Matt Hicks, Milton Overstreet, Michael Paddack, Lucas Smith, and Guy Thomas.  A reception will be held at the conclusion of the service at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home.