Dean Wendell Smith

Dean Wendell Smith

1935 — 2025

 Longtime Sanford resident Dean W. Smith, 90, transitioned to his forever home to be with his wife, Blythe, on Monday, January 20, 2025.

 Dean was born January 7, 1935 in Metamora, Indiana, to Linden Oakley and Ruth and graduated from New Salem (Indiana) High School.

He and Blythe married on April 9, 1955, in New Salem Methodist Church.After getting tired of snow and cold weather, Blythe and Dean moved to Florida in January 1967 from Valparaiso, Indiana, before settling on the west side of Sanford in June of 1967 and residing there for over 57 years.

Dean’s first job in Sanford was as Assistant Manager at Goodyear Tire and Auto Service Center and retired from AT&T in 2000.

 He was a Championship winning youth baseball and basketball coach in the Sanford Recreation Leagues and also played in the Sanford Church Softball League into his 60s. From 1982-2023 he was a basketball shot clock operator for AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), Seminole State College and UCF.

 He loved his family, cats, baseball (especially the Braves and Cardinals), basketball (UCF and the Magic), PGA Golf (especially when Tiger Woods was playing), fishing and going to the Casino in either Las Vegas or Tampa.

 Dean is survived by his four children _ Dean L. (Sharon) Smith, Sanford; Robert Smith, Sanford; Trent (Kimberlee) Smith, Marietta, Georgia; and Cheryl (Bruce) Danilla, Sanford.

 He had eight (8) Grandchildren _ Debbie (James) Jachimski, Comer, Georgia; Donnie (Sharon) Hinson, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Danielle (Elielo Torres) Danilla, Winter Park; Nicholas Danilla, Sanford; Amber (Will) Kraft, DeBary; Josh Smith, Kennesaw, Georgia; Caleb (Maddy) Smith, Kennesaw, Georgia; Mariah (Yury) Panasyuk, Marietta, Georgia _ 13 Great-Grandchildren and three (3) Great-Great-Grandchildren.

 He was preceded in Death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Blythe Smith, L. Oakley Smith (Father), Ruth Smith (Mother), Harold Smith (Brother), G. Arnold Smith (Brother), Jayne Akers (Sister) and Jace Jachimski (Great Grandson).

 A memorial service will be planned in the future.

 Newcomer Funeral Home, South Seminole Chapter, Longwood.