Mr. A. Donald Smith

A. Donald Smith, 82, Albertville resident, avid sportsman and long time local car dealer passed away Sunday Feb 1, 2015 at Shepherds Cove. Donald Smith was born on January 25, 1933 on the outskirts of Albertville to J.W. (Cooter) and Marie Smith. He attended school in Albertville where he played football for the legendary Hall of Fame football coach Vernon Wells. Donald married Marolyn Matthews on May 28, 1950. The couple had two children, the late Don Smith of Albertville and Suzan Smith of Boaz and one grandson Dr. Jon Alan Smith of Albertville. Donald went to work in the car business with his brother the late Clinton Smith and his father, the late Cooter Smith in 1950 at Clinton Smith Motors in Albertville, making his first trip to Chicago to buy cars that very same year. Donald was the oldest active car dealer in Marshall County before his illness and had been buying and selling cars in North Alabama for over 60 years. Over the years he was active in the community, helping to set up Albertville’s first Toastmasters club in the late 1950’s. As president of the Albertville High School Quarterback Club in 1967, Donald led the club in the purchase of the famed “Aggie” bus, a large commercial Blue Bird Bus that transported many generations of Albertville Athletes. Donald discovered his love of shooting around the age of 12 in the field surrounding the house in which he was reared. Donald started shooting skeet in 1956. He liked the sport so much that he and some local businessmen started the Marshall County Skeet Club in 1958. In the early 1960’s at the Alabama State Skeet Shoot in Gurley, Donald became the first man in the state of Alabama to break 100 straight Skeet with a 410 shotgun. He was inducted in the Marshall County Sports Hall of Fame for skeet shooting in 2010. The many awards and accomplishments for Donald are too lengthy to mention all; however some of the most impressive include the following; Alabama Skeet Shooting Championships ; Donald was a member of both of the five-man and two-man championship or runner up teams in 410,20,28 and 12 gauge shotguns from 1974-80. He was also the State individual Champion or runner-up in many individual contests for these guns during that period. In 1979 and 1980 Donald seemed to have his best shooting years, winning at least 15 team or individual state championships. In both of these years he was selected to the All-American Shooting team. In 1980, he was also the Alabama State Pigeon Shoot Champion. From 1982 to 2000 Donald shot in the Alabama Skeet Shooting Sub-Senior and Senior competitions, continuing to win many team and individual state championships. Donald proved to be a prolific winner, traveling to and competing in many other shooting meets in other states. In the Southeastern US Championships, Donald won or was runner up 15 times. In the National Skeet Shooting Association World Skeet Championship Donald was a winner or runner up 4 times. He also won many team and individual shoots in the Rock City Invitational in Chattanooga, Tennessee, The Mid America open, The US Open and The Sporting Clay Championships. Donald also participated in charity events helping to raise funds for the Alabama Sherriff’s Youth Ranch. With numerous victories and awards in his chosen sport, Donald shot skeet competitively for over four decades. He was selected to the All-State Shooting team in 1974,’75,’76,’78,’80 and ,’81; and the All-American Shooting Team in 1979 and 1980. His skill and dedication was recognized in 1999 with his induction into the Alabama Skeet Shooters Hall of Fame. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years the late Marolyn Matthews Smith, his son, Don Smith, his parents J.W. (Cooter) and Marie Smith and his brother Clinton Smith. He is survived by his daughter Suzan Smith of Boaz and his grandson Dr. Jon Alan Smith of Albertville. Visitation will be 5 to 8 pm Wednesday Feb 4 at Adams Brown Service Funeral Home, Albertville, AL. Graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday Feb 5 at Marshall Memorial Cemetery, Albertville, AL. Arrangements Entrusted to Adams Brown Service Funeral Home.

Mr. A. Donald Smith

January 25, 1933 - February 1, 2015