Van Royce Smith

Ava, Missouri

Van introduced himself on April 9, 1959, in St Joseph, Missouri, to his parents Jerald Smith and Mavis (Vanfossan) Smith. The world then got a little dimmer when he left it on July 1, 2026, at the age of 67 years, 2 months, and 23 days.

Van spent the early years of his life in the St Joseph area, but then relocated to Anchorage, Alaska, for his high school years. He graduated from Dimond High School, where he was an all-state athlete in both football and basketball.

After graduation, Van moved to Texas, where his oldest daughter, Heather, would be born. In 1988, he would relocate to the Ozarks, where he would spend the rest of his days. On September 24, 1988, he would marry Jeanie (Turner) Smith, and they would have two more children, Kermit and Courtney.

Van was a jack of all trades and could do almost any job. His most recent was at DOCO where he made several friends he considered as family. When he wasn’t at work, there were two places you could find Van. If it was a Sunday, he would be on the couch, rooting on his Kansas City Chiefs. Other days of the week, he would be out fishing with his brother Mike, which is what he loved doing most of all.

Van was always quick with a joke and would go out of his way to make other people laugh, no matter the situation.

Van was proceeded in death by his parents, Jerald Smith, Mavis and Melvin Sharp, and his younger sister Jill Smith.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Jeanie Smith; his daughter, Heather Caldwell and husband Jeremy, his son Kermit Webie, and wife Kristen, and his daughter, Courtney Smith; his grandchildren, Jace, Lesley, and Shanley Smith, Jemma Ivie, Brecklyn and Wrenley Webie, and London and Lydia Caldwell; his brother Mike Gooley and wife Regina, and his sister Dina Thompson and husband Alan; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and acquired family from his time at DOCO and Ava Place.

Services will be held at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava on Thursday, July 9 at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to help with unexpected funeral expenses.