Danny Keith Smith, 69, of Mills River, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on December 31, 2023, following a short illness. He is preceded in death by his parents, Billy Gene Smith, Betty Ann Bryson Smith, and his wife, Ruby Gillespie Smith.

Danny was born in Transylvania County on November 13, 1954, and he graduated from Brevard High School in 1973 and on July 31, 1976, he married Ruby Gillespie Smith, also of Brevard.

He served in the United States Air Force where he was stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama from 1975 until he was honorably discharged in 1980 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. He and Ruby then moved back to Brevard to start their family. He then started his business, D.K. Smith Electric Service, which served the Transylvania Community for many years until his retirement.

Danny loved fishing, hunting, traveling to Montana, and studying American history, but most of all, he loved his family, especially his five grandchildren and his precious companion dog Sadie who never left his side.

He is survived by his daughters, Ashley Cooper (Ricky Lawrence) and Abbey Fueger (Patrick); his grandchildren, Madeline and Owen Cooper and Henry, Brooks, and Cynthia Fueger; his sister, Carla McElmurray (Jeff); his brother, Tony Smith (Paula); and many loving aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that a donation be made in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project in his name to support wounded Veterans.

Family, friends, and others whose lives were touched by him are invited to the Chapel at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home in Brevard at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024, to celebrate his life with his family with Rev. Shelly Webb officiating. The family will receive friends one hour after the service.

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.