R. Douglas “Doug” Smith

R. Douglas (Doug) Smith, 73, of Leesburg, passed away at 12:01 am on April 17, 2020 at Goshen Hospital, due to complications from cancer. He was born on November 21, 1946, in Warsaw, to Floyd and Betty Smith. In May 1969, he married Judith (Judi) Smith, who survives. Doug served in Vietnam in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade as part of the Air Mobile Unit in the U.S. Army. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Service Star for his sacrifice. He was a member of the Warsaw American Legion Post #49 and was a volunteer and driver for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). He was a graduate of Leesburg High School and the International Business College of Ft. Wayne. He was president of both the Leesburg Grain Elevator and Leesburg Feed Company and he worked as a grain dealer for most of his life. He was a former board member of the Indiana Grain Dealers Association. He was part owner of an airplane and a member of the Maple Leaf Flying Club. He was a former Leesburg town board member and a former officer of the Leesburg Alumni group. He was also a team member of the Lakeview Saw Sharpening Services bowling team. Surviving are three sisters, Cindy (and spouse Jerry) Kammerer, Leesburg, Sheri Bleile, and Staci Smith, both of Warsaw. He is also survived by a daughter, Sara Smith Dye, Warsaw, and a son, Brian Smith, Mishawaka, and three grandchildren, Jacob Dye, and Chloe and Logan Smith, all of Warsaw. Due to the current conditions, a celebration of life will take place at a later time. A private burial will be held at the Leesburg Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Mentone Elementary, c/o Bulldog Buddies (tutoring) at 301 E. Jackson Street, Mentone, IN, 46539 or the Gary Sinise Foundation (for wounded veterans) at P.O. Box 368, Woodland Hills, CA, 91365.