Attica - David Eugene Smith, 81, formerly of Attica, IN and Reedley, CA, passed away in Aster Place, Lafayette, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 1:05 a.m.
David was born in Cave City, in Barren County, Kentucky on December 25, 1943.  He was the son of the late Orville and Lorene (Rigdon) Smith.  David was raised in Attica, graduating from Attica High School in 1962.  David later enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on September 2, 1964 and was honorably discharged from Camp Pendleton, CA on September 2, 1968.  He had served during the Vietnam War and had attained the rank of Sergeant at the time of his honorable discharge.  He then returned to Indiana for a short time, but loved California and embarked on a career as a self employed general contractor in California and settled in Reedley, CA.  After 30 years of working as a general contractor, David retired in 1997.  When health started to fail him, he returned to Indiana to be near his siblings.
While living in California he was on the Reedley area Veterans Board of Directors and Life Member of the V.F.W. Post # 35 of Reedley; member of the American Legion Post of Reedley; member of the Vietnam Veterans of Reedley.  He enjoyed riding and racing motorcycles.  He enjoyed tinkering on cars and was working on restoring an early model Ford.  He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.  David was proud of his service with the Marine Corps and was honored to take the "Veterans Honors Flight" to Washington, DC in 2019.
David leaves behind three children, Grace (Daniel Battaglia) D'Agostini, Reedley, CA; Ronnie (Tresa) Smith, Louisville, KY and Chris Smith, Lafayette; six siblings, Mary Davis, Attica; Geraldine (Jerry) Heeter, Attica; Joyce (Michael) Yaryan, Lebanon, IN; Jim (Sandy) Smith, Thorntown, IN; Sharon (Roger) Vail, Attica; Robert "Smitty" (Amy) Smith, Attica; five grandchildren, Landon Smith, Natalie Smith, Rachel Smith, Stoney Voget and Chaos Voget.  David was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill and Kerry Smith along with his parents.  A special thank you goes out to Brittany and Amber of Comfort Keepers for their care and compassion of caring for David during his final days.
As per David's request, cremation services were accorded him and a military gravesite service will be held at the Riverside Cemetery, Attica on Saturday, April 5th, at 12:00 p.m. with Chaplain Dan Jordan officiating.  Memorial contributions in David's memory may be made to the Reedley American Legion Post or to the Veterans Honor Flight.