David Lee Smith, a long resident of Gulf Breeze, passed away Thursday, March 1, 2018.

Dave was born in the Phillipines in March, 1934 and came to Pensacola at 6 months old with his brother Donald, and mother, Mary Lee Mitchell Smith just before WWII broke out. Dave grew up in Pensacola and graduated from Catholic High School. He attended the University of Florida, then returned to Pensacola to marry his high school sweetheart, Mary Fisher Smith in 1954. Dave received his contractor's license in 1972 and built houses for S.S. Steele Co. until 1974 when he started Dave Smith Builder, Inc. In 1978, Dave started his remodeling business, Smith & Sons Builders, with his two eldest sons, Mike and Bill Smith. His youngest son, Pat, joined the business in 1980, then his grandson, Paul Perryman. They continued to run Smith & Sons until Dave retired in 2012. He was a member of the Home Builders Association of West Florida and was named Contractor of the Year in 2004 and served as a member of the Board of the Remodeler's Counsel. He was a member of the Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge, the Pensacola Beach Boat Club and an active member of St. Ann Catholic Church, in Gulf Breeze.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Fisher Smith; his brother, Donald Vincent Smith; and his son, William D. Smith.

Survivors include his children, Michael D. Smith (Christina B.), Daniel L. Smith (Audrey), Patrick J. Smith (Jane), Katharine M. Grover (Brandon), and E. Ann Mickow (Clint); twelve grandchildren, Paul Perryman, Nichole Mentado, Melissa Gentry, Charles Smith, Christopher Smith, Mary Katharine Grover, Rachel Mickow, Ashley Mickow, Nicholas Grover, Natalie Grover, Ryan Mickow and Karen Smith; and one great-grandchild, Angelina Christina Grubb.

Visitation will be held 5:30pm – 7:30pm Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze, FL with Msgr. Luke Hunt celebrant. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Gulf Breeze.

Pallbearers will be Mike Smith, Pat Smith, Dan Smith, Brandon Grover, Charlie Smith, Nick Grover and Clint Mickow.