Donnie L. Smith, Jr., of Tonganoxie, Kansas, peacefully passed away at home on April 21st, 2026.  He was born on January 20th, 1965, in Salina, Kansas.

He was a 1983 graduate of Basehor High School.  After graduating, he worked for a few highway construction companies installing road signs and guard rails.  He then went to work for KC Concrete Pipe Company, making concrete pipe. He then started working for Prose, Inc. as a shop foreman/fabricator/installer of office furniture for 27 years.

There wasn't anything that Donnie couldn't do.  He dove right into a project, whether he knew what he was doing or not.  He was determined to figure it out and get it done. He always gave 110% and strived for perfection.  He always put his wife and sons before himself.

For those who knew Donnie, he was the most headstrong, stubborn, and set in his own ways kind of guy, and always wanted the last word in a conversation.  That was just Donnie's personality and stems from how he was raised by his parents.

Donnie was preceded in death by his father, Donnie L. Smith, Sr., and his paternal grandparents, Howard Eugene and Eula Mae Smith.  He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, J.P. and Goldie Radke.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Cheryl, of thirty years (twenty-six of those married), his sons Cody and Colby Smith, who he loved and adored unconditionally, his dogs Max and Fritz, his mother Jody (Larry) Mauck, his brother Ronnie (Janine) Smith, many aunts, uncles, cousins, niece, in-laws, and friends.  Donnie had a special place in his heart for each one of you and often told stories about all of you.

Donnie had a few health issues, and now he has the peace and comfort that he wanted and deserved.  He is now in heaven with family and friends who preceded him in death.  He can now go have those early morning conversations like he used to with his Dad, play cards, party, hunt, shoot his bow, play golf, and rebuild another Ford Mustang like he used to have, visit with grandparents, and get that much-needed sleep he desperately wanted.  We love you, Donnie!

Donnie requested that when his time came, he did not want a big fuss made out of his passing.  He requested no service, to be cremated, and to spread some of his ashes over a rock bluff on his property. He wanted everyone to remember him as he was in his picture above.