Denton Lyle Smith's Obituary
Denton L.?á Smith, 90, of Shell Point, FL, entered Heaven on Saturday morning, February 5, 2011, after a long and wonderful life.?á He departed peacefully, surrounded by family at the Shell Point Hospice.?á Denton was born in Lapeer, MI, on January 9, 1921, to Warren and Hattie Smith.?á After service in the US Navy during WW II, where he rose to the rank of Commander and specialized in ordinance, he married Lois Scott, the love of his life on February 8, 1945.?á He received BS degrees from both Michigan State (Chemical Engineering) and the University of Michigan (Metallurgical Engineering) and went on to work as a research associate for the American Dental Association in the Washington, DC area.?á He left to work for the J.M. Ney Company in Bloomfield, CT, where he retired as Executive Vice President and COO.?á During his career, he was appointed to the Board of Directors and chaired several committees of the American Dental Trade Association.?á While in Connecticut, he served as a deacon, trustee and president of First Church of Christ (UCC) in Simsbury, CT. ?áAfter retiring, Denton and Lois first moved to Keowee Key, SC.?á?á Desiring a year round opportunity to continue fine tuning their golf skills, they retreated further south to Florida.?á They have been an active part of the Shell Point community since 2000. Denton and Lois took adventure trips to all seven continents, enjoying an African safari, whitewater rafting in Costa Rico, hiking in Galapagos, seeing penguins in the Antarctic, exploring the Great Wall of China and more.?á During his time at Shell Point, Denton was a Charter Member of the Shell Point Golf Club, and a volunteer instructor at the Computer College of the Shell Point Academy.?á He was an active member of Fort Myers Congregational UCC Church where he served as a deacon and a trustee.?á Denton is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lois, and two children, Gary Smith (Valerie) of Essex Junction, VT, and Luayne Smith Crandall (Derrick) of McLean, VA.?á?á He was especially close to his five grandchildren:?á Scott Smith (April) of Annandale, VA;?á Brian Smith (Amanda) of Powell ,Ohio;?á Sherry McKinney (Tucker) of Chicago, IL;?á Alysson Lehman (Robert) of Oakton, VA;?á and Carolyn Holman (Joshua) of Glen Allen, VA. ?á In addition, Denton had a special love for his six great grandchildren:?á Anna and Benjamin Smith; Sophia Smith; Tobin McKinney; and Avery and Tyler Denton Lehman. ?á A celebration of Denton?ÇÖs life will be held on Monday, February 14, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ, 8210 College Parkway, FT Myers FL.?á In lieu of flowers the family requests you consider a donation to the FT Myers Congregational United Church of Christ, 8210 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33919 or to Hope Hospice at Shell Point, c/o Hope Hospice of Lee County, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908. ?á Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907, 239-936-0555.?á Online condolences may be made at: www.fortmyersmemorial.com.
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