Dan Smith Obituary

Danny “Dan” Lynch Smith, age 75, of Pensacola Beach, FL, passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2024.

Dan was born on March 26, 1949, and raised in Houston, TX. He graduated from Sam Houston University where he received a degree in finance. His career was spent in the oil and gas industry in various positions with companies in Houston, Tulsa and ending in New Orleans as the Natural Gas Manager for Louisiana Land and Exploration. His hobbies included reading, traveling, gardening and being a beer connoisseur. Dan was a member of the Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge where he was the Exalted Ruler for 2 terms, served for 5 years as a Trustee and served as the District PER VP for one term. He was a Ships Officer in 2010 and Captain in 2014 of the Krewe of Wrecks. Dan was the Vice President of the Pensacola Beach Advocates Assn. and President of the White Sands Homeowner’s Association for 10 years and led the rebuilding after Hurricane Ivan. He was a member of the Central Pensacola Beach Church and was known as Dan the Coffee Man. Dan was leader in anything which he participated in. He had 3 food groups: Texas BBQ, chicken fried steak and Tex Mex. Dan was an example of “You can take the man out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the man.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ella Lynch Smith and William Sam Smith; and a brother, William Sam Smith, Jr.

Dan is survived by his wife, Shelby Clift Smith; and a cousin, who was like a sister, Nancy Brimberry and several other TX cousins.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00am Saturday, November 9, 2024, on the ground floor of the Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge 497, with Rev. Jack Kale, officiating. Dan’s cremated remains will be inurned in the family plot in Ennis, TX.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge 497 Charity Fund, P.O. Box 551, Gulf Breeze, FL 32562, 850-932-4444.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Lin, Dr. Wei, Techs and OT/PT Therapists and nurses of West Florida Rehab who lovingly cared for him in his final weeks, and also his Chat’n Chill buddies. Thank you all for the love and support shown to Dan.