Joseph Lee Smith

Joseph Lee Smith, age 63, of Dover, died Thursday, January 28, 2010, in the Louis Stokes Veteran Medical Center at Cleveland following a brief illness.A son of the late Roy and Daisy (Goff) Smith, Joe was born at Massillon, Ohio on September 16, 1946.He attended Massillon City Schools and would go on to serve our country as a member of the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.Following his discharge from the Navy, Joe met a young lady named Marsha “Marty” Van Camp. Following a period of courtship the couple married on October 18, 1968. Together they would rear two daughters.For 42 years, Joe loved his career as an independent truck driver. As a coast-to-coast carrier, he had the opportunity to travel to all of the 48 continental states and truly loved the sights and places he visited. Being on the road for weeks at a time gave the hard-working Joe a deep appreciation for the family he supported. Upon arriving home, Joe loved to share in fellowship with his family and friends. Even on the road, Joe would often “adopt” a new family member, coming to the aid of another down on their luck by inviting them into his family’s home and ensuring plenty of nourishment and comfort. Among his love for his family, were two other beings. The first was his canine companion of 18 years, Dingo and the second, his semi rig, “Lizzie”. Joe also enjoyed anything that went fast, be it cars, boats or airplanes, he enjoyed being in or watching anything with speed.Joe’s compassion for others and passion for life will be greatly missed by his family which in addition to his wife, Marty, include his two daughters, Tammy (Doug) Postlethwait of Stone Creek, and Heather (Dennis) Verbarg of New Philadelphia.Four grandchildren, Dakota, Cheyenne, Hunt, and Daisy complete the family.In keeping with Joe’s wishes there will be no public visitation or services. It was his request that those who knew him celebrate his life in their own way. Cremation will be conducted through the care of Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory at Dover.To follow entries created by Joe’s family journaling his life story and illness please visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bringjoesmithhome. To make a donation in tribute to Joe, those wishing to do so may direct contributions to a family fund being established in care of Tammy Postlethwait, PO Box 72, Stone Creek, Ohio 43840.