Jesse Donald Smith, known lovingly to family and friends as Don, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2026, at the age of 95 after a courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

Born on July 26, 1930, in St. Louis, Missouri, Don spent much of his life on the West Coast, living between Seattle, Washington, and Sunnyvale, California — the place he always considered home. In later years, he and his beloved wife Retha made homes in Southern California and eventually South Carolina, where they continued the life they had built together for more than seven decades.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude and Jesse Smith, and by his sister, Dorothy Jean Smith.

He is survived by his devoted wife and best friend of nearly 74 years, Retha Rosemary Smith; his loving daughter, Tiffney Allison Foushee; his grandson, Brandon Michael Weaver; and his cherished great-granddaughters, Liliana Marie Weaver and Violet Jean Weaver, along with extended family and friends who were deeply touched by his life.

Don and Retha’s story began on a street corner in Seattle, Washington, in 1950. They married in 1952 and built a beautiful life together rooted in love, loyalty, hard work, and unwavering commitment to family. Their marriage was a true partnership in every sense of the word. Through every season of life, they remained one another’s constant companion and closest friend. From the earliest days of their marriage, Don would lovingly remind Retha that they needed to “get their ducks in a row” for retirement — a phrase that became part of the rhythm and humor of their life together.

Don spent much of his professional life working in engineering within the semiconductor industry during the rise of Silicon Valley. Alongside his corporate career, he built a small business specializing in upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, and water and fire restoration. What began as a side venture eventually became a successful full-time business after his semi- retirement from corporate life, which he later sold in 1989.

Hard work was simply who Don was. He believed in showing up, providing for his family, and doing things the right way. His work ethic left a lasting impression on everyone around him, especially his daughter.

Outside of work, Don lived with curiosity and passion. He earned his private pilot’s license and loved flying. He had a remarkable talent for landscaping and design and could transform any yard into something beautiful. He also loved restoring old cars — especially Cadillacs — and took great pride in bringing them back to life. And if Elvis Presley was playing, Don was happy.

To know Don was to know fierce loyalty. He loved deeply and protected the people he cared about without hesitation. As a daughter, there was never a moment of doubt that Dad would be there no matter what. He was steady, dependable, and strong — the kind of man who made you feel safe simply by being present.

Though often quiet, Don had a wonderfully dry sense of humor that would appear unexpectedly and leave everyone laughing — especially him. Those moments became some of the family’s most treasured memories.

More than anything, Don loved his family. The life he and Retha created together was built on perseverance, friendship, laughter, and unconditional love. His legacy lives on not only in the memories he leaves behind, but also in the values he instilled: loyalty, resilience, dedication, and love of family.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers, family members, and friends who offered love, support, and compassion throughout Don’s journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Don’s honor to organizations supporting Alzheimer’s care and research, including Alzheimer's Association and VIA Health Partners Hospice & Palliative Care.

Don will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.