David Lee Smedley | Life Tributes

David Lee Smedley

June 24, 1940 — November 2, 2021

David Lee Smedley, 81, of Holtville, California passed away November 2, 2021, at El Centro Regional Medical Center, after a brief illness.

David was born in Holtville, June 24, 1940, to Bill and Helen Smedley. With the exception of a brief period of living in Heber where the family business had been located, David was a lifelong resident of Holtville. He attended Holtville High, graduating in 1959. In his youth, David belonged to the Boy Scouts and F.F.A., and as a young man he built and raced dragsters in his spare time.

A welder by trade, David was self-employed for many years in the family welding business, Smedley and Sons Welding. In 1985 he went to work for Holly Sugar, where he worked until he retired in 2005. Dedicated to hard work and providing for his family, the efforts of his labors were visible by the countless welding scars that peppered his skin.

David married Martha “Marty” Dungan, August 18, 1972, and lovingly took on the responsibility of raising her two young sons as his own. The family could often be found in the evening fishing along the canals of the Imperial Valley after David would return home from a long day at work. They also enjoyed spending time in the sand dunes. As his sons grew older, the workshop on his property became a mecca for his son’s and their friends to repair and build their sand toys, where David could always be relied upon to give his advice or lend a helping hand. The sounds of metal clanging and engines revving were frequently heard emanating from his shop.

After retirement, David could be found nearly every day at the various restaurants around Holtville, socializing with his friends and family. His presence and quick wit will be deeply missed by all that knew him.

David was proceeded in death by his wife Martha (Dungan) Smedley; son, Justin Dungan; parents, Bill and Helen Smedley; and two brothers-in-law, Tony Gonzales and Duane Peck. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Valerie Dungan, Murrieta, California; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Bobby and Jerri Smedley, Fredericksburg, Texas, Donald and Remona Smedley, Holtville; four sisters and one brother-in-law, Linda (Smedley) Bannon, San Diego, California, Barbara (Smedley) and Richard Tucker, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Karen (Smedley) Gonzales, El Paso, Texas, Charleene (Smedley) Armendariz, Phoenix, Arizona; along with a large extended family including numerous nieces and nephews.

A private family viewing will be held Monday, November 29, 2021, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Hems Brother’s Mortuary in El Centro, California. Graveside services will be open for all who wish to attend on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at 11 a.m., Terrace Park Cemetery, Holtville.

In lieu of Flowers, the family requests contributions be made to either The Wounded Warriors or a charity of your choice.