Donel "Bruce" Smith

Donel “Bruce” Smith, a resident of Utah, and formerly of Naples, Florida, passed away February 18, 2023.

Bruce was born April 30, 1938, in New Castle, Indiana, to Donel Smith and Jo Dorsett Smith. He grew up in Monticello, Indiana and graduated from Monticello High School. Bruce attended Purdue University in the ROTC program and graduated with a Chemical Engineering Degree. After serving his Army commitment, he married and had one son, who is deceased. Bruce finished his education with an MBA from West Virginia University.

Bruce’s business career started with Union Carbide Corporation (now Dow Chemical) and worked there until he retired in 1993. He ended his career as Corporate Controller, and after retirement went to work as a consultant for Gunn Partners. He retired after five years and for the rest of his career did volunteer work.

Bruce was a wonderful man and was loved by his family and friends. The following is from one of his step-grandchildren:

“I love Bruce very much. I felt a connection with him that was rare even amongst blood relatives. He had a tireless devotion to applying his talents and wisdom to drive better outcomes for his family. Bruce exposed me and my siblings to a special kind of devotion to family and God that has influenced us in ways we are still uncovering. He really was a special individual. He helped map a course for us that made an incredible difference in our lives that will continue to pay dividends long after he’s gone”. 

Bruce is survived by Yvonne White, his loving wife of 47 years; his brother, Joe Dorsett Smith; and his grandson, Joseph Smith, Jr. He is also survived by his stepchildren, William White, John White, and Pamela Murphy; his step-grandchildren, Derek White, Jarred White, Caleigh Sutton, and Kyle Murphy; and three great-grandchildren.

A quiet family gathering will be held in the near future.

Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary, 869 South 2000 West, Syracuse, Utah 84075. Condolences may be shared at: www.lindquistmortuary.com