Dr. H. Don Smith

Memorial services for Dr. H. Don Smith, 87, of Tyler, will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Marvin Methodist Church Sanctuary with Dr. Doug Baker and Dr. Marc Donaldson officiating. Reception and visitation will follow in Pirtle Hall. Surrounded by family, Dr. Smith passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in Tyler. He was born in Cisco, Texas on July 1, 1938, to Beulah Beth and Homer Oliver Smith and was a direct descendant of Smith County’s namesake, General James Smith. He grew up in Eastland alongside his brother, Juan Jay. Don met the love of his life, Betty Ann Willmann, on a “coke date” his freshman year at his beloved University of Texas where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Don and Betty Ann were Lifetime Members of Texas Exes, season ticket holders and avid supporters of The University through Don’s years serving on the Chancellor’s Council, UT Dad’s Association as both member and president, and the UT Development Board. To their delight, all four of their children graduated as UT Longhorns. After attending The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Don was stationed as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida where he received an honorable discharge. Don and Betty Ann made Tyler their home in 1969 after his completion of residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. Recruited by Dr. Ivy Lambreth, Dr. Smith would be Tyler’s sixth anesthesiologist in its newly developing medical community. Well-known for his gentle, caring demeanor with patients and highly regarded by his peers and those in his profession, Dr. Smith received many accolades. He served two terms as President of Smith County Medical Society and several terms as Chief of Anesthesiology at Medical Center Hospital. Dr. Smith was instrumental in helping to bring heart surgery to East Texas and administered the anesthesia for some of Tyler’s first open heart bypass surgeries. A beloved and respected physician amongst nursing staff, he was voted twice as Doctor of the Year. He was inducted into the Dr. Luke Society of Bethesda Health Clinic. Dr. Smith ministered through his profession, reading Bible verses and praying with his patients and their families. He healed people both physically and spiritually while volunteering at Bethesda Clinic and Hospice HomePlace and through mission work in Belize and with his church. Don and Betty Ann joined Marvin Methodist Church in 1969, always faithful members and raising their four children there, serving where needed. His greetings and words of encouragement to others deemed Don a friendly sight on any given Sunday and his presence there will be sorely missed. Together, Don and Betty Ann found joy in supporting the many organizations that serve East Texas and that have directly impacted Tyler’s caring and beautiful community. First and foremost, Don’s faith and family remained his priority. He was a doting husband and present father. His career was demanding but he made time for the important things. He was intentional about family devotionals and time together. The roads were well worn, ski slopes conquered, many wild game hunted, the lake a precious refuge, jolly old England scavenged, and many wonderful adventures taken, but most treasured was time at the beach with his ever expanding family. “Pop” was the ultimate grandfather, never missing a birthday, school program, game or special event, ensuring each of his fifteen grandchildren knew how much they were loved. Pop even assumed carpool duty once a week for twelve years for five of them! Dr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving family including his adoring wife of 66 years, Betty Ann Smith; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Susan Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Richard Truitt; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Rex Thompson; and son and daughter-in-law, Kyle and Jennifer Smith. Also, surviving him are grandchildren, Katie and Tanner Coleman, Emily and Bryce Jones, Jake and Gaby Smith, Sally and Scott Ryan, John and Macy Thompson, Abby and Jack Calhoun, Graham and Morgan Thompson, Claire and Will Swinnea, Janie Truitt, Annie Thompson, Luke and Rebekah Smith, Macy Smith, Wilson Smith, Sutton Smith and Marshall Smith. His legacy continues through eight great-grandchildren who also loved their Pop. Don is survived by his brother and wife, Marianne. Honorary pallbearers are Don’s treasured friends and wives of the “Tuesday Lunch Bunch” and “Choir Practice”; his 58 year long Bible study begun by a small group of young physicians before hospital rounds. If desired, memorials may be made to Marvin Methodist Church Eternal Flame Fund, Bethesda Health Clinic, and The Hospice of East Texas.

Dr. H. Don Smith

July 1, 1938 - February 4, 2026