Howard David Smith

Howard David Smith was born in Carlsbad, NM, on July 24, 1941, the second child of Robert Walker Smith and Mary Howard Smith (nee Newman), who preceded him in death in 1964 and 1994, respectively.

The family moved to Phoenix, AZ, in 1945 and lived in several locations in and out of the City until 1950, when they moved back to New Mexico and built a custom home at 1101 Calle del Ranchero in Albuquerque.

During the time in Phoenix, David was diagnosed with epilepsy and developmental disabilities. At a time when many people with one of these diagnoses were institutionalized, David’s parents made the decision to give him as mainstream a life as possible. He attended private elementary, junior high, and high schools operated by the Seventh Day Adventist faith. With the help of tutors, teachers and school administrators, David graduated high school in 1965.

The kindness and support of the Seventh Day Adventists led David to join that faith and he attended Heights Seventh Day Adventist Church in Albuquerque until moving to Colorado Springs in 1999, after the death of his mother and to live with his older sister, Brenda. At that time, he joined Colorado Springs Central Seventh Day Adventist Church. David served as Deacon in both Albuquerque and Colorado Springs churches. His church family was very important to him.

David worked as a janitor for Heights Seventh Day Adventist church for several years. Once in Colorado Springs, he began as a volunteer for Goodwill before being hired as a part-time employee in 2000. David worked at several Goodwill locations until retirement in 2015.

After surgery in December 2022, David went into the Life Care Center of Colorado Springs to rehabilitate, and then remained as a resident until his death on January 15, 2024. His surviving family, sister Brenda Walker Anthony (nee Smith), and niece Michelle Marie Anthony, wish to thank the staff of Life Care for their help and their diligent and kind care of David.

Howard David Smith will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Albuquerque, NM, next to his grandfather Howard David Newman and Grandmother Honora Elizabeth Newman (nee Perkins), and near his mother and father.

The family appreciates donations or remembrances to the organization of your choice in David’s honor.