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Daniel Lee Smith

Posted 10/26/06

Daniel Lee Smith, 26 CAMDEN - Daniel Lee Smith of Camden died Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006, in Dover, after a long struggle. He was 26. Mr. Smith was born Feb. 22, 1980, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, …

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Daniel Lee Smith

Posted
Daniel Lee Smith, 26

CAMDEN - Daniel Lee Smith of Camden died Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006, in Dover, after a long struggle. He was 26.

Mr. Smith was born Feb. 22, 1980, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford.

He attended both Lake Forest and Caesar Rodney schools. He was a football player for a brief time at Lake Forest High School until October 1996 when he was struck in a hit and run while riding his bike. This was the beginning of a very long struggle with pain and suffering both inside and out. He then attended the PEAK program and graduated in 1999 with his graduating class from Lake Forest High School.

God helped him through many tragedies in his young life.

Mr. Smith enjoyed work and was employed with Hardee's, Sears and Value City in Dover.

In February 2001 he was severely burned in a fire, and soon after he made a career change. He went into construction; working his way up from a helper to a foreman for Quality Builders Inc.

He loved Boy Scouting growing up. He loved Pontiac Firebirds. He had a great passion for music and playing the guitar. He liked shooting pool, bowling and working on computers and electronics.

Mr. Smith was a member of Whatcoat United Methodist Church in Camden, where he had many friends and attended regularly.

He will be remembered for his bear hugs and kisses, his love for helping others, his ability to make people laugh and his big heart.

Mr. Smith touched the hearts and lives of many people who gave him a chance.

He was preceded in death by grandmothers, Katherine Sparks and Ellen A. Ressler.

He is survived by his mother and friend, Mary E. Ressler; his stepfather, James W. Ressler Jr.; his girlfriend, Gere Durkin of Middletown; a stepdaughter, Ashley Macleish; an aunt and uncle, Emma Mae and Charles Wilheim of Greenwood; two uncles, Marvin L. Dahmer of California and Ralph Dahmer and his wife, Arlene, of Denton, Md.; a step-grandfather, James Ressler Sr.; his father, James O. Smith II of Florida; his grandfather, James O. Smith of Maine; two special friends who were like brothers, Rick Mayhall and Tom VanDrunen, both of Dover; and other aunts and uncles.

Burial was in Lakeside Cemetery, Dover.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Whatcoat United Methodist Church, 16 N. Main St., Camden, DE 19901.

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