Donald E. Smallwood, 88, of Winchester, Virginia passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Blue Ridge Hospice Residential Facility.
Mr. Smallwood was born in 1929 in Winchester, Virginia, the son of the late Douglas and Nellie Smallwood. He was a graduate of John Handley High School, Class of 1948. Mr. Smallwood worked for a short time as a route delivery man for Coca-Cola of Winchester and then enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in England during the Korean conflict, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. After returning to the states he worked for Tom Halderman as a sign painter and went on to further his skills by attending classes in Front Royal, eventually establishing Don E. Smallwood Signs.
Mr. Smallwood was one of the five founders of the Judges Athletic Association which was organized in 1958 and helped establish Little League Football in Winchester in 1961. He later designed the original pen and ink drawing of Judge Handley for the logo for the JAA that is still used today and more recently designed the logo for the Hunter Maddex Hall of Fame. He served as president of JAA in 1961 and 1962. He was awarded the Ancil Gray Service Award in 1968. In 1984 Don was awarded the Judges Gavel Award presented to him by then Athletic Director, James M. Omps. In 2006 Don was inducted into the Hunter Maddex Hall of Fame.
Mr. Smallwood was a true community leader and was always willing to serve. He was Board Chairman of Winchester Parks and Recreation from 1965-1971 and instrumental in the construction of the swimming pool in Jim Barnett Park. He served past President of Kiwanis Club of Winchester and named Outstanding Kiwanian in 1967, and served on the Winchester City Council from 1978-1986.
Because of his love for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival he would work tirelessly on the various decorations and award signs needed for the festival itself and did all the decorations for the Annual Sports Breakfast. His passion for this event would find him still working into the dawn hours of the grand feature parade finishing up last minute changes.
Mr. Smallwood married Florence E. Harley on September 10, 1950 in Winchester, Virginia.
Surviving with his beloved wife of 66 years is a son, Donald E. Smallwood, Jr. and his wife, Ann Stewart Smallwood of Amherst, New Hampshire; a daughter, Melissa J. Laase of Winchester, Virginia; five grandchildren, Donald (Trip) Smallwood, III, Stewart Smallwood, Kristen Laase, Eric Laase, and Ryan Laase, four great grandchildren; and nephew, Greg Brill of Lakewood, Colorado.
Mr. Smallwood was preceded in death by a sister, Peggy Brill.
The family will receive friends on Monday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 am on Tuesday at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in memory of Donald may be made to Judges Athletic Association, P.O. Box 2213, Winchester, Virginia 22604