Daniel Bennett "DB" Smith, Sr.

Daniel Bennett Smith Sr. died peacefully on Thursday September 22, 2022 at the Senator Bob Hooper House in Bel Air, Maryland. Daniel celebrated his 100th birthday on December 19, 2021 with his children at his home in Aberdeen, away from his care facility due to COVID 19 restrictions.

“DB” was the youngest of three children born to the late Everett and Alice Bennett Smith in Cecilton, MD. D.B. was married to the late Sara Johnson Smith in 1939. They were married for 81 years and had four children. Daniel B. Smith, Jr. (Barbara), William E. Smith, Sandra Smith Rokos, and Robert D. Smith (Lisa). He also loved his former daughters in law, Judy Smith Vanarsdale and Marie Erklauer Smith (deceased).

His grandchildren, William Smith Jr., Dave Smith, Linda Schwartz, Diana Russell, Michael Smith, Rebecca Smith, and Sara Texcocana were joys in his life. He is also survived by 19 great grandchildren and 22 great greatgrandchildren.

His love of the fire service began when he joined the Cecilton Volunteer Fire Company in 193 7. He entered the Marines in June 1944 and was sent to the South Pacific where he was a heavy machine gunner in the 1st Marine Division. ”D.B” saw action in the invasion of Okinawa. After recovering from a wound, he returned to Okinawa. His unit was then sent on to practice for the invasion of Japan. The atomic bomb was dropped and he was reassigned to enter China. Fortunately he soon returned home.

After the military and several small jobs,”D.B.” was hired at Aberdeen Proving Ground as a firefighter. His service began with numerous test aircraft fires at the air base. Upon his retirement in 1978 “D.B” had served as Fire Fighter, Fire Prevention Chief, Assistant Chief and 20 years as Fire Chief at A.P.G.

During his years of service with APG he joined and served with the Aberdeen Volunteer Fire Department and remained a member until his death. Over the years he served as a Junior Officer, Assistant Chief and Fire Chief as well as a longtime member of the Board of Directors.

One of his enjoyable tasks was providing training opportunities for volunteer fire companies.

“DB” served for 25 years as an instructor for the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute formerly the Maryland Fire Extension Service and also as a member of the governor’s appointed Maryland Fire Prevention Commission for over 17 years.

“DB” and Sara enjoyed traveling and visited every state, some of them many times. Starting with a pickup camper, they worked their way into a tow behind trailer and finally a motor home. When son Bob and his wife were stationed in Europe, they traveled extensively with daughter Sandy in a popup Volkswagen bus. A trip across the country through Canada to Alaska was one of their favorite memories as well as a trip to Hawaii. After his retirement, a plot of land in Florida caught their eyes and a yearly trip to Florida began. Many wonderful friendships came from those years.

A visitation with the family will be held on Monday October 3 from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home, 333 S. Parke St., Aberdeen, MD 21001. A service will be held on Tuesday October 4 at 11:00 am at Grace United Methodist Church, 110 W. Bel Air Ave. Aberdeen, MD. Interment will follow later at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, the Aberdeen Fire Department, 21 N. Rogers St. St. Aberdeen, MD 21001, Gilchrist Home Care Fund, 1134 McCormick Rd., Suite 350 Hunt Valley, MD 21031, or the Senator Bob Hooper House, 2007 Klein Plaza Drive, Forest Hill, MD 21050.