2009
Donald F. Smith, 72, a George Mason University education professor from 1971 to 1999, died of a heart ailment March
23 at his home in Falls Church.
Dr. Smith spent his early career teaching social studies at Fairfax and George C. Marshall high schools in Fairfax
County, and also was an education professor at the University of Guam from 1968 to 1971.
Donald Francis Smith was a native Washingtonian and a 1956 graduate of Western High School. He received
bachelor's and master's degrees in education from East Carolina University, both in 1960. He earned a doctorate in
education from American University in 1968.
He was a former board member of Apple Federal Credit Union in Fairfax County and helped found George Mason
University's chapter of the Phi Delta Kappa fraternity for professional educators.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Cynthia Lewis Smith of Falls Church; three children, Kerry S. Watts of Haslet,
Tex., Christopher L. Smith of Falls Church and Jennifer L. Smith of Charlottesville; and four grandchildren.
-- Adam Bernstein