DURHAM, N.C. – Donald Frederick Smith, 53, died Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, of a sudden illness in Minneapolis, Minn.

He was born Nov. 13, 1959,  to Jack E. and Mary Lois (Fulton) Smith in Liberal.

He attended Southlawn Elementary, South Junior High and Liberal High School, graduating in 1978. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Southwestern College in Winfield, majoring in business administration with a minor in music. He served as student body president at Southwestern for two years.

He was currently employed by Southern Season, in Chapel Hill, N.C., as a department manager. He had worked for the Virginia Opera, in Norfolk, and was program manager for the Virginia Commission for the Arts. In the mid1980s, he held the position of business manager for the Wichita Music Theater for 15 years.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, in Liberal and College Hill United Methodist Church, in Wichita.

He served as organist for several churches including First United Methodist in Winfield, as well as, Westminster and College Hill United Methodist in Wichita.

He enjoyed travel, and loved people, especially his “little ole ladies.”

Survivors include his mother; three brothers, Dr. David E. Smith and wife, Linda, Salina, Douglas A. Smith and wife, Nancy, Overland Park, Darrel L. Smith and wife, Patty, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; two sisters, Rhonda Mansell and husband, Clayton, Liberal, and Rebecca Kill and husband, Jerry, Minneapolis, Minn.; one nephew, Brian Mansell and wife, Kristy; four nieces, Hilary Wingate and husband, Jonathan, Allison Smith, Krystal Kill and Tasha Kill; one great-niece, Mackenzie Mansell; four step-nephews; two step-nieces; and several step-great nephews and nieces

He was preceded in death by his father.

o He was an organ donor, and his body was cremated.

A celebration of life service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, 116 W. Third Street, in Liberal.

A second service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at College Hill United Methodist Church, 2930 E. 1st N., in Wichita, followed by a celebration reception  from 4-6 p.m., at the Riverview Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Wichita Hotel, 400 W. Waterman.

Memorials are suggested to the Don Smith Memorial Fund, Southwestern College or First United Methodist Church of Liberal in care of Brenneman Funeral Home, 1212 W. Second Street, Liberal, KS 67901.

Condolences also may be sent to the family at www.brenneman funeralhome.com.