GREAT FALLS - Donald Stewart Smith, 95, of Great Falls, passed away Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Donald was born in Buffalo, Wyoming Smith on February 29, 1920. While he was still young, his family moved to Sheridan, Wyoming where he grew up. He graduated from Sheridan High School in June, 1938. Shortly after that, he joined the Wyoming National Guard. The guard was called into service in Fort Lewis, WA. Don was in the Cavalry, and at first, he rode horses. Because he played the drums, he was transferred into the band. In 1942, he started working towards becoming a pilot in the US Air Force. Eventually, he wound up in Mountain Home AFB, ID, flying B-24's and then was transferred to Gowen Field, in Boise, ID.

While in Boise, he met Laura Marie Schroeder. They were married January 25, 1946 in Spirit Lake, IA where Laura was from. The marriage was blessed with three children.

After he left the service October 15, 1945, he worked for the Veterans Hospital and the US Weather Bureau. The Weather Bureau assigned him to Great Falls, MT. He and Laura moved there in March, 1947. In March, 1948, he began working for the FAA. Also, at this time, he rejoined the Air Guard. In 1951, the Air Guard was called back into duty for the Korean War. He was assigned to Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, GA in April. In November, the unit was transferred to George Air Force Base in Victorville, CA. Between Christmas and New Year's Eve, he received orders to join the 20th Fighter Bomber Wing (77th Fighter Squadron) in Langley Field, VA, flying F-84's. From there, he was sent to England in 1952. During this time, he became what is known as a triple threat, meaning he was a pilot, a bombardier and a navigator. He and his family were in England until late 1953. At that time, he left the military, having achieved the rank of major.

He and his family moved back to Great Falls, where he worked as an air traffic controller until he retired in 1974. He also was in the Montana Air National Guard for a number of years. He earned his degree in accounting from the University of Great Falls, and used that education working for H&R Block for several years. After retirement, he used his skills as a pilot in a number of ways: worked with the Civil Air Patrol, flew a business owner on business trips, flew for the US Forest Service to help them spot fires, flew a Montana politician around for his campaign, and taught many students how to fly so they could get their pilot's license.

In his free time, he loved to hunt, fish, and hike all over the Montana and Wyoming mountains. He was a man of many skills. He built two houses (one of which he lived in from the time it was built in 1954 until his death) and a cabin.

He also was an artist of considerable skill in oils and an amazing pianist, usually playing by ear. In his later years, he enjoyed the game of golf.

His wife, Laura died in 1986, after they had been married for 40 years. In 1989, he married Ruth McCullough. They enjoyed many years of square dancing, round dancing, and traveling to places in the US (often visiting family and friends) and abroad. Donald was a member of Peace Lutheran Church from the time it was founded.

Donald is survived by his wife, Ruth; three children, Craig Smith of Helena, MT, Carolyn (Dale) Cooper of St. John, IN and Colleen (Mark) Ruebke of Urbana, IL; three step-children Judy (Gene) Ostwald of Thompson Falls, MT, Jerry (Renee) McCullough of Spokane, WA and Nancy (Roger) Pozzo of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada; four grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; seven greatgrandchildren; and eight step-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Laura; parents Renwick and Emma Smith; brother Charles; and sisters Helen, Gertrude, Emma, and the twins Gladys and Mary.

The family requests that donations be made to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405, whose staff gave him such wonderful care during his last days.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church.

Condolences for the family may be posted online at www. SchniderFuneralHome.com.

Great Falls Tribune - Feb. 21, 2016.