Charles "David" Smith

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, at Adams Funeral Home in Ozark with Pastor Mark Zimmerman officiating. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, December 18, at Adams Funeral Home in Ozark. 

Charles "David" Smith was born March 21, 1964 in St. Joseph. He graduated from Lafayette High School in 1982. He worked several years in St. Joseph at various businesses: Goodyear Tire, Ken Smith Autobody (where he learned to do autobody repair,) Nastrom Chevrolet Dealership and then he opened his own body shop in Savannah, Missouri.

David met Sherri Daise in 1987 while cruising the Belt highway in St. Joseph. They developed a great friendship over the next few years which turned into a romantic relationship in 1992. Sherri moved to Springfield in fall of 1992 to pursue her master's degree at Southwest Missouri State University, and David soon followed her.

David worked at Hammer's Auto Works as well as Thompson Pontiac Cadillac doing what he loved, auto body repair and painting. David married the love of his life, Sherri, June 4, 1994. He received his associates degree in computer science 1999. 

With the birth of their first child in 1999, David decided to take on his most important job and become Mr. Mom to take care of Mallory. Their first son Chaz was born in 2002 and the family soon moved to Ozark, where David had his own auto restoration shop at their home. Their second son Jacob was born in 2004. David's first priority was always his children and wife Sherri. He was a great Mr. Mom to the kids and the preschool moms were fond of him at class parties and field trips. He was very involved and always supportive of his children. 

He was a great husband and had a loving relationship with his wife of 24 years. Sherri instilled in David a love to travel. They had lots of great trips to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Chicago and Nashville, to name a few.

David thoroughly enjoyed working on cars, a passion he learned from his dad, Charlie. David had learned mechanic work from his dad in addition to attending numerous ASE certification programs. He could fix any mechanical problem on a car. He was also an excellent body man and painter. David never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone, and somehow cars would always enter the conversation. He made lots of friends in Ozark and was so proud to be a part of the Drag City Boys with Jim, Pete, and Kevin. The Drag City Car show in September was a benefit for Dave and his family. He touched countless lives and was loved by many.

On April 4, 2018 David was diagnosed with ALL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis was where he received multiple rounds of chemotherapy and had a stem cell transplant from his brother Gary in June. His aggressive leukemia returned in September. David and Sherri kept a positive and prayerful attitude throughout his leukemia treatment and complications. 

David died peacefully on Wednesday Dec. 12, at Barnes Jewish Hospital with Sherri by his side. We are so thankful to Oncology Hematology Associates at Cox Health - Dr. Verma and NP Tamara Ford. The excellent care at Barnes Jewish Hospital - Dr. Peter Westervelt and NP Katie Thomas. And hugs to the numerous nurses for their big hearts - Crystal, Ally, Sam, and Jules, to name a few.

David is survived by his wife Sherri (Daise), daughter Mallory, 19, son Chaz, 16 and son Jacob, 14. Mother Karen (Smith) Meadows and step father Max Meadows of Savannah; his siblings, Charlene (Ron) Allen, Sandra (Jeff) Lanning, Gary Smith and Rick (Deborah) Smith, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. David was preceded in death by his wonderful dad Charlie in 1997, mother in law Lois Daise in 2016 as well as grandparents and cousins in previous years.

In lieu of flowers, an account (last 4 digits 1771) for Mallory, Chaz and Jacob has been created for their future. You may make your contributions by calling or sending a check to: Sherri Smith, care of Great Southern Bank 1701 W. Jackson, Ozark, MO 65721 or by calling (417) 581-2401.