David Henry Smith

David H. Smith , a long time Farmington resident and native New Mexican, passed away Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014. He was born May 14, 1921, in Cedarvale, to Harry and Pearl Smith. David enjoyed his families ranching life in Torrance County . In 1943, he graduated from New Mexico School of Mines (Now New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology) with a degree in Mining Engineering and was then called to service in the United States Army Air Corps. Following training Texas and Florida , David served as an aircraft maintenance and repair officer in Okinawa and in the Philippines . He was married to Helen Ruth Brooks originally of Fort Worth , Texas , for 64 years, until Helen's passing in November 2012. Pursuing David's engineering career, the couple lived in southeastern New Mexico and Texas , during the early marriage. They enjoyed Farmington in the 1950s before moving to Kanab , Utah , and Page, Ariz. , where David worked for ten years on the construction of Glen Canyon Dam. Later Bureau of Reclamation projects took them to Chama, to the Red Grande Valley , and back to Farmington in the mid 1970s. A 32nd degree Mason, David served as a worshipful master at the Masonic lodge in Page, Ariz. and was a member in the daylight Lodge in Aztec and the order of Eastern Star. As an avid fisherman and hunter, he was a life member of the NRA. David is survived by his niece, Norma Sivers and husband Mark of Fort Worth, Texas, niece, Nadine Hughes of Albuquerque; nephew, Larry Brooks and his wife Debbie of Washburn, Mo.; niece, Linda Hart of Fort Worth, Texas, Ron Brooks and wife Karen of Farmington; as well as many other who loved him. Cremation will take place and no services will be held. David's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688.