Art Dale Smith, 89, of Gun Lake, died Sunday morning June 28, at home.Art was born May 19, 1926, in Kalamazoo, the son of Paul S. Smith and Florence (Vedder) Smith. He attended Ypsilanti High School, joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 when he was 17 years old serving in the Pacific during WW II. He was honorably discharged in 1946 after receiving the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with one Star, American Area Ribbon, Victory Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon.
Art was married to Laura J. Meyers from 1950-1974. In 1946 he began his career as a graphic artist at Modern Neon Sign Company in Kalamazoo. In 1969, perhaps feeling the 40-year itch, he and his wife Laura and their three children boarded a 29-foot sailboat and began a six-month adventure, sailing across Lake Michigan, down the Mississippi and eventually settling in the Virgin Islands where he opened a sign business and resided for four years.
When he returned to the states, he returned to Modern Neon Sign where he worked until 1978. He then began an independent career doing local sign work and using his exceptional talent creating works of art. His artworks are collected throughout the world.
His painting of the Friends Goodwill Tall Ship hangs in the Maritime Museum in South Haven. The American Kennel Club museum in St. Louis displays his artwork. He and longtime friend, Jamie Wright carved and assembled the altar at Saint Luke’s Church in Kalamazoo.
Art is an honorary member of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America; had a working relationship with , was Scoutmaster for 15 years with Troop 27 of Kalamazoo and had received the prestigious “Boy Scouts of America” Key Award. In 1981 Art won a look-alike contest for his striking resemblance to Kenny Rogers and received an all-expense paid trip to California.
He married the widowed Patricia “Pat” Sandy in Kalamazoo Nov. 5, 1977, and took on the responsibility of being a father to her three children. Art and Pat were married for 38 years. They traveled extensively throughout the US in their RV’s. They also took a trip the England in 1988.
Art’s children include: Thomas M. (Laurel) Smith of South Haven, MI; Cameron (Cheryl) Smith of River Ridge, LA; Jennifer Ann Smith of Portage, MI; Mary-Sandy (Kevin) Brouard of Otsego, MI, Susan-Sandy (Jim) Crowell of Kalamazoo, MI and Scott (Kelly) Sandy of Bellevue, MI. His grandchildren: Trevor Smith, MacKenzie Marble, Corinne Smith, Courtney Cunningham, Kevin Smith, Erin Richardson, Nathan Brouard, Steven Crowell, Jillian Corwell, Leah Sandy, Hannah Sandy and Trent Sandy. There are also nine great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother: Marvin Smith, his sister: Marilyn Herman, son: Scott Sandy and granddaughter: Corinne Smith.
Private services with military honors will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery with inurnment following. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 29 at at the Orangeville Township Hall, 7350 Lindsey Road in Orangeville.
Art has requested that as a tribute to him, if you are the proud owner of an Art Smith original painting you can bring it to be displayed during this occasion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America Charitable Trust, your local animal shelter, World Wildlife Fund or Wings of Hope Hospice.
Arrangements by the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, a member by invitation, Selected Independent Funeral Homes. (269) 965-5145.
Please leave a remembrance on Art’s webpage at www.bachmanhebble.com
