Rev. Duane Smith
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The Rev. Duane Smith ’66,’69, a United Methodist pastor whose ministry in western Ohio spanned 38 years, passed away April 22 at his Perrysburg residence. He was 80 years old. He passed of Alzheimer’s disease, his son Dwight Smith said.
Rev. Smith retired in 2009 from Metamora United Methodist Church in Metamora, Ohio.
Before that he was a pastor at different times at Calvary United Methodist Church in Toledo, Ohio, Trinity United Methodist Church in Swanton, Ohio, Greenville First United Methodist Church in Greenville, Ohio, Hayes Memorial United Methodist Church in Fremont, Ohio, and Sharon United Methodist Church in Napoleon, Ohio. Over the years he had also done missionary work and volunteered for the Habitat for Humanity.
“He was a good pastor,” said Kay Smith, his wife of 26 years. “He was a caring pastor. He loved the Lord, and he loved his parishioners and he cared for them.”
In 1990 more than 300 people came to Swanton High School Auditorium to attend an entertainment program about him: “This is Your Life, Duane Smith.”
The program was secretly organized by Trinity’s congregation, during his time as pastor there, to honor him and raise money for the church’s elevator fund.
“I had no idea,” he told The Blade at the time. “It was a big surprise.”
During the event, Mr. Smith also received letters from U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) and state Sen. M. Ben Gaeth (R., Defiance), as well as from friends and acquaintances, and an autographed football from the Cleveland Browns.
“He was a selfless, generous, caring, compassionate, kind person, who cared for people deeply, with love,” his son said. “People knew him as someone who would drop anything to care for someone in need.”
Born June 21, 1940, in Kinsman, Ohio, to Keith and Betty Smith, he graduated in 1958 from Mount Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and later continued his education at what now is Anderson University and Anderson School of Theology, graduating in 1966 and 1969, respectively.
After completing his theology studies he began his ministry at Fairfield Church of God in Fairfield, Ohio, and two years later became an associate pastor at the Grove City church.
He received his doctorate in ministry degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1984. A Mason, he was also a member of the Rotary Club and the Kiwanis Club.
In his free time, Rev. Smith enjoyed fishing the Great Lakes.
Surviving are his wife, Kay Smith; sons, Grant and Dwight Smith; stepson, Brian LaMee; stepdaughter, Amanda Seibert; brothers, Keith and Clyde Smith; sisters, Cedelia Longley, Elaine Podlogar, and Margie Smith; four grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be private. Arrangements are by Ansberg-West Funeral Home in Toledo and Galloway-Onstott Funeral Home in Hartford, Ohio.
Anderson University educates students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 50 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 18 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult, graduate, and online programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized for excellence in business, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, music, nursing, psychology, and teacher education programs. Established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God, the university remains committed to its Christ-centered mission.