Sammy David Smith

Sammy David Smith went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 8th in Dallas, Texas. He was born June 26, 1947 to Afton (Rock) Smith and Mary Harvard Smith in Corsicana, Texas. He grew up in the area and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1965. He moved to Arlington, Texas to attend the University of Texas at Arlington. After leaving college, he met and married his wife of 50 years, Judy Kay Phillips. They had one child, Vic Smith and lived in Mansfield, Texas until his passing.

David was a devout Christian and was a founding member of Crestview Missionary Baptist Church of Arlington where he was a Deacon and Trustee. He spent years as a Sunday School teacher and Youth Group Director. He loved spreading God’s word and mentoring the youth. David lived his life by example.

David retired from the bearings and rubber products industry where he was a salesman. He loved race cars and spent many years building, racing, and then showing his prized Duster. David loved photography and spent many years shooting weddings and special events as a part-time business. His introduction to leather craft in Boy Scouts led to a life- long love of “pounding leather.” This love led to him being President of the Lonestar Leathercraft Guild then on to Executive Director of the International Federation of Leather Guild. He won many awards and accolades with his leather artistry. He thought of the leather guild members as family.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Afton and Mary Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Phillips Smith of Mansfield, Texas and their child, Vic Smith of Pueblo, Colorado. Brother-in-law, Jimmy Phillips and wife, Audrey of Midlothian, Texas, Sister-in-law, Denita Leaman and husband Mark of Norman, Oklahoma, Sister-in-law, Diann Harris and husband Bruce of Mansfield, Texas, Nephews: Jarrod Leaman of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Jeremy Phillips of Dallas, Texas and Andrew Brewer of Mansfield, Texas along with his beloved aunt, cousins, and numerous family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Shriners Children’s Hospital.