John Dene Smith

John D. Smith, of Dothan, AL, passed away Sunday, January 5, 2025, after a brief illness. He was 91 years old. Born in McCracken County, KY, on November 12, 1933, his life was marked by his love of family, learning, and sharing his wisdom with others.

After graduating from high school in 1952, then proudly earning his bachelor’s degree, John went on to obtain his Master’s Degree in Commercial Administration from the University of Detroit in 1965. He completed several courses toward his doctoral degree at the University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana before work transferred his family out of the area.

On June 20, 1959, he married Diana L. Kucinski, in Detroit, MI, and they remained together for more than 61 years, until her death in 2020. After living in several different areas of the Midwest, they settled in Traverse City, MI to raise their family. John was an accountant by trade, and he was active with the National Association of Professional Accountants. He was a past President of the Traverse City Exchange Club, a longtime member of the Elks Club, and a volunteer for the Father Fred Foundation.

Upon retirement, he and Diana moved to Dothan. There, he was a member of the Taylor Senior Center and enjoyed attending weekly Bible Study Sessions and Christian Fellowship. He loved WII bowling, reading, researching, investing, giving advice, and sharing his wealth of knowledge. His motto was “you’re never too old to learn.”

John is preceded in death by his parents, the late Warner P. Smith and Iris Dene (Anderson) Smith, as well as his siblings, Norma Freeman (Esco), Wanda McReynolds (Herbert), Warner Smith (Dorothy), Jean Aston (Eugene), and Jack Smith (Shirley).

He is survived by his sister-in-law, Corinne M. Ellis, his three children, Kevin Smith (Noreen Hodgins) of Chicago, IL, Kathleen (Michael) Ziglar of Dothan, AL, and Karen (Bruce) Abney of Waterford, WI. He leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Craig Lautenschlager, Amy (Drew) Blazo, Eric (Sarah) Abney, Megan (Steven) Worsley, Melanie (Allyson) Smith, Madison Smith, Carmen Ziglar Hamm (Jason Currie), Kayla (Lucas) Davis, and seven great-grandchildren.

The family requests memorial contributions be directed to the Taylor Senior Center, 1457 S. State Hwy 605, Taylor, AL 36301 or the Father Fred Foundation at fatherfred.org.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.