Obituary of Delmar Allen Smith

Delmar A. Smith (“Smitty”) born in Mason City, Iowa on April 12, 1934 to parents, Ray Byron Smith and Leone Smith, passed away peacefully in Tucson, AZ on April 1, 2024, just 11 days from his 90th birthday.  He leaves behind his wife, Gertrude Judith Smith known as Judy to her family and friends; children Danielle Frein (Mark) of Cedar Rapids, IA; DeAnna Moore of Fort Collins, CO; Kitti Rollie of Tucson, AZ; and Allen Smith (Paulette) of Tucson, AZ; his grandchildren, Lindsay Shedek (Brian), Jordan Frein (Katie), Karlee Peters (Sam), Kelsey Moore, Kara DiNicola (Katie), and Tanner Ragsdale; and great grandchildren, Gavin, Steele, Crew, Blaire, Georgia, Frankie, Jackson, Navy, August, Ashton, and Aria.

 

Smitty was preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law, Kent Rollie, and his grandson, Anthony DiNicola. 

 

Smitty served proudly in the Air Force during the Korean War and reached the rank of E-4. He also served as a Mason City Police Officer where he met the love of his life, Judy, and they were happily married for 57 years and raised a family together. Smitty's service in law enforcement inspired his son, Allen, to also become a Tucson Police Officer (retired).  Smitty then switched careers and studied to become an airline mechanic working for Trans World Airlines (TWA), Learjet, and Bombardier where he retired as Lead Inspector. Smitty's work brought him to Tucson, AZ in 1980 and where he resided until his death. 

 

He and Judy were members of the Sabbar Shrine for decades and had a passion for helping children in need.  They also loved to ride motorcycles and travel the country with the wind in their hair! Smitty even started the Sabbar Shrine's motorcycle club.

 

Some of Smitty's interests, other than motorcycles, included reading Louis L'Amour books and listening to his favorite singer, Johnny Cash.  However, his greatest love was his family, and he showed this to them every day.  He loved spending time with his family traveling, fishing, holidays, watching sports (go UofA!) and just hanging out.  He was a compassionate, patient man who was there for whatever and whenever his family needed him. The loss to them is profound, but they will always have him in their hearts and his words of wisdom to them continue. 

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Shriner's Hospitals for Children. Internment will be at Arizona Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Marana, AZ on May 6, 2024 at noon. 

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