David Lawson Smith

SMITH ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA David Lawson Smith, age 60 a resident of Orange Beach, AL, passed away Monday, October 9, 2017, after a brief illness, while in the loving embrace of his family. David was born in Sylacauga, AL, on June 2, 1957, to Hew and Jean Smith. David attended  Pascagoula High School, Mississippi State University and the University of South Alabama and was a member of Kappa Alfa fraternity, and then he met Vickie, the love of his life. David and his wife, Vickie Somerville Smith, divided their time between their business, Lawson’s Hardware and Ace party Rentals in Pascagoula, MS and their home on Terry Cove in Orange Beach, AL. Sailor, captain, fisherman, businessman, entrepreneur, loving husband and father, David’s life revolved around family and the outdoors. He was devoted to his family and friends, and was an avid shooter, expert boater and sailor and a Coast Guard Certified Captain, as well as being a locally well-known expert in saltwater reel repair and service. David always had the most unusual knack of being able to read an article about building something, or doing something, setting the article down, and then just building it or doing it. With his friends and family, he made frequent fishing trips into the Gulf of Mexico, and numerous voyages to the Florida Keys and Bahamas, as well as many other destinations. David was always a welcome and entertaining presence on any vessel or in any setting or gathering. He was generous to a fault and quick to help a friend in need. David’s keen intellect, his infectious sense of humor, his positive outlook on life and his love of the ironic, will be eternally missed by his friends and family. He lived his life to the fullest because he always knew he was living on borrowed time. We all loved him and we already miss him. Our world will be a lot less fun and a lot less interesting without him. David was preceded in death by his father, Hew Lawson Smith in 2009, and his mother Jean Smith in 1988. In addition to his cherished wife Vickie, David is survived by their son Andrew Lawson Smith, a professional outdoorsman and mountain climber, who lives in Santa Cruz, CA., Aunts, Uncles, Cousins ,as well as countless friends and acquaintances. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at LaMaison Guatier, (The Old Place) Guatier, Ms. from 5:30pm until 8:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations be made to the American Heart Association. ARRANGEMENTS BYWOLFE-BAYVIEWFUNERAL HOMES& CREMATORY, INC.2551 SOUTH MCKENZIE ST.