Denver D. Smith

Denver D. Smith, 91, passed away Sunday, January 15, 2017 at Altercare of Bucyrus.



He was born April 7, 1925 in Huntington, West Virginia to the late Fred and Thelma (Kingrey) Smith. He attended school in Upper Sandusky until leaving the 11th grade to enlist in the US Navy. He was sent to Pearl Harbor in August 1942 and later served on five submarines, making six war patrols in the Pacific Theater, three occurring before he was 18 years old. Denver was a recipient of a Presidential Unit Citation for his involvement in the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese and was honorably discharged in 1945.



On May 24, 1948, he married Maxine (Southward) Smith who preceded him in death in 2008. He retired from Swan Rubber following 43 years of employment. Denver was a member of the US Submarine Veterans of WW II – Ohio, US Submarine Veterans Inc. and a 25-year member of McKale’s Navy Breakfast Club in Mount Gilead. Denver was proud to have received his diploma from Bucyrus High School in 2002 and often said, “Now I can get a real job.”



He is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Rockwell of Durango, Colorado; two sisters, Doris and Juanita; and one brother, Jack as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Fred, Ray, and Ernest and one sister, Nellie.



No public services will be held at this time but a memorial celebration is being planned for later this year in Bucyrus. Denver will be interred in Green Mountain Cemetery in Durango, Colorado.



Memorial contributions may be given to the US Submarine Veterans of World War II – Ohio, c/o Ron Rossington, Treasurer, 2001 River Road, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820. Condolences are encouraged to be shared on his Tribute Wall.