Don Smith

Don Smith, age 78, of Lengby, MN, passed away on Friday, June 13th, at the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, MN. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 19th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston with the Rev. John Ragan officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Friday, July 18th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston. Family will also greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Saturday (July 19th) at the funeral home. Military honors will be provided by the Naval Honors Team. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com. After the memorial service, lunch will be served at the Rockin’ A in Lengby. All are invited.

James Donald “Don” Smith was born on April 30, 1947, in Jackson, Tennessee to parents Sidney and Vernie Smith. When he was five years old his parents, two sisters and brother headed to Alaska. His dad was in the Air Force stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage. It was quite an adventure to be driving the Alaska ALCAN Highway, being an all-gravel highway in 1952.

Living in Anchorage for a few years before moving to Chugiak, Alaksa, where he went to high school, he was very active in sports. He broke many records while being in track.

He enlisted in the United States Navy on April 29, 1966. He was stationed at Port Hueneme, California, a Naval Construction Battalion Center. He served with the Seabees, who are responsible for building much of the temporary and permanent infrastructure at U.S. Military locations around the world. After basic training he was sent to Vietnam. He spent one year there and received his honorable discharge on September 23, 1969. Returning to Anchorage he had several truck driving jobs. Eventually getting a job with a Canadian construction company on the North Slope building ice roads. After four years he was tired of working in dangerous and cold environments.

He met his future wife in 1982. In 1986 we moved to his cabin in Eagle River Valley, eventually building onto and making a home with a fantastic view of mountains surrounding us, the river a mile away full of wildlife that gave us hours of enjoyment. He started his own business, Don’s Trucking and Excavating. Staying very busy in summer and during winter doing snow removal in Anchorage.

In 1990, he started working for the Civil Services out of Elmendorf Air Force Base. This move turned out to be his dream job. His job took him to remote sites, not to build but to tear down buildings, dig up barrels and foundations. This part he loved because he could be running his equipment. I always said “he was like the boy playing in the sandbox with his toys.” He loved his job so much. He was lucky to see so much of Alaska. Some of his remote sites were: Cape Lizburn, Cape Romanzof, Tin City, King Salmon, Kotzebue, Cold Bay, Galena, Wake Island, Murphy Dome, Adak, and Greenland. And some I have forgotten. He built many runways and roads. He did manage to take some time off and marry Marilyn Miller on December 26, 1991.

In 2008, we started our move to Lengby, Minnesota. It was urgent that we make the move. Don was more that willing. I guess after living in Alaska for 56 years he was ready for a change. After moving and being here awhile he was anxious to get his equipment here so he could start working, being there was a huge gravel pile next door.

Don’s Excavation was started and once again he was on the road. He stayed so busy and he loved every minute of it! He met so many wonderful people and all I believe became friends. With Don’s sense of humor, his laugh, and his beautiful blue eyes, what was not to like. His honesty was also a great trait of his. He loved to hunt, especially moose, caribou, and then deer. He also loved his horses, always hoping to have more time to ride. He will be dearly missed.

With his wife by his side, James “Don” Smith passed away on June 13, 2025, at the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, Minnesota. He put up a hard and courageous battle with brain cancer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Vernie Smith; niece, Keri Tuttle; brother-in-law, Michael Robbins and ex brother-in-law, Terry Slack; and stepbrother, Rick (Kay, also deceased) Hall.

He is survived by his wife of over 33 years, Marilyn; children, Jamie (Nancy) Smith, Ronnie Smith, Kenny Smith; stepchildren, Rhonda (Terry) Nelson and Darin Miller; we have 12 grandchildren, Ethan, Sidney, Jonah, Zach, Sydney, Cooper, Tyler, Brook, Bailey, Maddie, Stacia, and Jamie. We also have 24 great grandchildren; siblings, Connie Robbins, Cathy (Roger) Courtney and David Smith; stepsister, Mary Beth (Scott) Wilson; stepbrother, Randy (Carol) Hall; nephews, Chris (Donna) Robbins and Kevin (Nikki) Slack; nieces, Jennifer (James) Gripper, and Kaytlin (Ian) Calhoun.