Donald Roy Smock (“Don”), 84, passed from this earth to be with Jesus on January 28, 2026, in Greeley, surrounded by his loving family.

Don was raised on a farm/ranch east of Grover, Colorado.  He was the second son born to Carlyle and Elsie Smock.  He had 5 siblings and the family of 8 lived in a 2-bedroom house for many years.  Many escapades were had as the 5 Smock brothers and “sis” grew up – from playing football on a 12-foot-high haystack (until someone fell and got hurt), to rounding up the calves for a “rodeo” when the parents were away, to playing a pickup baseball game.

Don attended school in Grover from 1st through 12th grade and graduated in 1959.  He was an all-American teenager who loved any sport but was particularly fond of baseball.  Don was proud to be the catcher for all 4 years of high school, where the Grover Jackrabbits won the State Divisional baseball championships for each of these years.

Between his Junior and Senior years of high school, Don joined the Air National Guard in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he proudly served his country for 6 years.  A highlight for him during this time was to occasionally play on the basketball and softball teams for the Air National Guard.

In 1963, Don married the love of his life, Joyce Anderson.  They took up residence in an 800 square foot home that initially did not have running water or electricity.  In true Don chivalrous fashion, he added a bathroom to that house, electricity and running water.  In 1976, the family moved a few feet from the little farmhouse into a house built by Don, where he and Joyce made a beautiful home.

In the early years of their marriage Don took on various jobs – he farmed/ranched, raised sheep, drove a school bus route, worked at the school, and later worked in the oil fields.

In July of 1979 Don took on the “East” mail route, where he delivered mail for 46 ½ years.  When asked recently if he had ever hit a mailbox in all those years, he proudly said “NO”!

Don also had the gift of a carpenter and many of his proudest work accomplishments can be seen by a visit to Don and Joyce’s place.  Nothing on the place has been built without Don’s touch – from fences and corrals, to barns, pump houses, sheds, flower planter boxes, and of course, to the house and its additions.

When the toolbelt got heavy, Don’s favorite toy was his Skid Steer.  He spent hours moving wood, debris, and equipment from one place to another, or grading his driveway, or moving snow.  No task was too large or too small for Don and his Skid Steer, and his ingenuity on what he could accomplish with that machine was masterful.

Don’s children, Kirk, Marty, and Wendy felt they hit the parent lottery.  He lived by example showing them kindness, patience, generosity, and unconditional love.  He taught that hard work, dedication, and education were the keys to success.  No favor was too big, no time wasn’t perfect to take a call from his kids and never did he ever not show up for them.

Don had a love of baseball and pretty much any sports – especially if his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren or any other family member or family friend were playing.  Hundreds of miles were clocked going to sporting events – whether as a participant himself, as a referee, as a coach, or as a spectator.  Watching sports was simply one of his happy places and always an encouraging word he would speak to players.

Don’s cherished partner and best friend in life was Joyce.  They enjoyed 62 ½ years together.  Don was a doting husband who encouraged and loved unconditionally.  He was proud of Joyce’s accomplishments and never faltered in his support of her.

In the later years, Don and Joyce enjoyed traveling.  They visited 12 pro baseball stadiums, took countless road trips, visited multiple states including Alaska and Hawaii, and went on 9 cruises, enjoying visits to Mexico, Israel, Greece, Italy, England, Ireland, Scotland, and most recently, Germany, France, Holland, and Switzerland.

Don was a man of faith and service.  He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by wife, Joyce Smock of Grover, Colorado; son, Kirk Smock of Sterling, Colorado; granddaughter, Macie Smock of Sterling, Colorado; son, Marty Smock (Becky) of Sterling, Colorado; granddaughters, Megan Anderson (Karsten) of Haxtun, Colorado; great grandkids, Addison and Bexton,-Kayla Kenow (Terrance) of Seward, Nebraska, Ezekiel, Presley & Lazarus; daughter, Wendy Smock (Loren Dowhaniuk) of Frederick, Colorado; granddaughter, Autumn Dowhaniuk of Fredrick, Colorado; brother, Alvin “PeeWee” Smock (Cecelia) of Carpenter, Wyoming; sister, Carolyn Branigan of Torrington, Wyoming; brother-in-law, Jerry Anderson (Roxie) of Carpenter, Wyoming; sister-in-law, Karel Smock of Grover, Colorado; sister-in-law, Jan Smock of Bakersfield, California; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by parents, Carlyle and Elsie Smock; brothers, Ronald Smock, Melvin (“Butch”) Smock, Carlyle Jr. “Corky” Smock

A visitation to be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Adamson Life Celebration Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Pawnee School, 19 Chatoga Avenue, Grover, Colorado.  Luncheon to follow.

Donations may be made to the Donald Smock Memorial fund.  Funds will be distributed to organizations in the Grover area.

To view the recording of Don's Celebration of Life Service, please use link below:

www.ckpmediaservices.com/donsmock