Michael 'Mike' David Smith

Michael ‘Mike’ David Smith, 73, of Poplar Bluff and Lady Lake, Florida, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Florida.

Mike was born in Poplar Bluff on Nov. 29, 1949, to Lester Jack and Ruth Ann Odle Smith. He was a Poplar Bluff City Council member from 2003-2008 and airport manager from 2006-2017. As of 2017, Smith had been active at the airport for more than 30 years and planned to continue working with the airport development board. 

Upon Smith’s retirement in 2017, his dedication was credited with helping the airport complete a $400,000 upgrade to the runway lights, 90% of which was paid for with grant money. In addition to the runway lighting project, there have been runway improvements and the construction of a fuel island, as well as two jet hangars. Air Evac was able to locate a base at the airport at that time because of the jet hangars. Mike and his family owned a variety of local businesses. His Dad owned Jack Smith’s 66 Station on the east side for several years in the 60s and 70s and Jack Smith Auto Sales, which the younger Smith helped run. Mike also ran the Cotton Bowl Bowling Alley and Restaurant in the Mansion Mall Shopping Center. 

Survivors include his loving wife Billie of the home; three stepchildren, Tammy (John) Kassinger of Mobile, Alabama and Jason Bell and Keith Nunn of Poplar Bluff; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and a wealth of family and friends. Mike was loved and respected by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his mother Ruth Ann Smith, his father Lester Jack Smith and his cousin Guy ‘Butch’ Shackelford.

The visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2023, at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. A graveside service will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery with Pastor Ernie Rogers officiating.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Michael David Smith. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cwrfcs.com.

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