David Goldsmith, Sr.

David B. Goldsmith, Sr. joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 17th, 2020 at the age of 77. He was born the youngest of three children to Orville and Opal (McGuire) Goldsmith on June 28, 1942 in Garber, Oklahoma. Dave spent his childhood and school years in Billings, OK, Booker, TX, and Beaver, OK where he graduated from high school. Growing up he was active in multiple sports, Future Farmers of America, cooked and worked in his parents’ restaurant, and drove a tractor for neighboring farmers.

Dave met the love of his life, Kay Hewatt, at the county fair while they were both in high school. After Dave graduated, the two were married on June 25, 1961. He and Kay attended college at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva. While attending college, he worked in construction, was employed at Western Auto, and served as a police officer for three years. During Dave and Kay’s fourth year of college, their first child Ginger Kay was born. In 1968, Dave earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a minor in Industrial Arts & Woodworking; he was the first in his family to earn a college degree.

Over the next six years, Dave worked as a teacher and coach at Caldwell, KS, followed by Ford, KS, and then Oilton, OK. While in Ford, KS, Dave and Kay’s second child David Jr. was born. As is typical in rural schools, Dave served many roles and taught physical education, math, psychology, woodworking, and driver’s education. He was a junior high principal; he coached football, basketball, baseball, track, cross country, and drove a bus. In 1973, he was recruited by Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance Company to open an agency in Cleveland, OK. He was quickly promoted to Agency Manager of Kay County and the family moved to Blackwell. Five years later, he was hired as District Sales Manager over south central Oklahoma and relocated to Chickasha. After five more years, he transferred to Pryor as Mayes County Agency Manager where he stayed three years before moving to Purcell and then Norman as McClain County Agency Manager. Dave’s career in insurance spanned nearly 30 years throughout which he earned numerous top agent and manager awards and many trips before retiring at age 59 in 2001.

When he was 51, Dave received a life-saving kidney transplant which allowed him to continue working, and he began advocating for organ donation awareness as a volunteer with Lifeshare of Oklahoma. He participated in the Transplant Games of America (Olympic-style competitions for organ transplant recipients held every other year). From 1996-2018, he competed in twelve separate games and earned a plethora of bronze, silver, and gold medals in various events: softball throw, shot put, discus, basketball, volleyball, darts, bowling, bocce ball, corn hole, Texas hold ‘em poker, and table tennis (his favorite). Dave was a charter member and served three years on the National Council of Transplant Games of America Athletes. He was also the co-manager of Team Oklahoma for the past decade.

Dave had numerous interests and hobbies over the years. He coached or was involved with many of the sports that Ginger and David participated in throughout their school years. He never missed attending their sporting events and activities regardless of when or where they occurred. He enjoyed boating, water skiing, bowling, hunting, and fishing; he spent time traveling with family, playing cards, dominoes, board games, and working puzzles; and he built and refinished furniture and other woodworking projects. He was known for loving people, being fun, outgoing, and a prankster. No matter the sport, game, or pastime, Dave was a fierce competitor. Even more important than competition was Dave’s faith in the Lord. At age 17, he gave his life to Christ and was baptized at First Christian Church of Beaver. In later years, he served as an elder at University Christian Church of Norman for nearly thirty years. Dave was a devoted husband, and he and Kay were a week shy of being married 59 years.

Dave was greeted in Heaven by his parents Orville and Opal Goldsmith, brother James Goldsmith, sister Edna Newton, father and mother-in-law Weldon and Mary Hewatt, and granddaughter Nicole Goldsmith.

He is survived by his wife Kay Goldsmith of the home; his daughter and family Ginger and Bobby Howe of Oklahoma City, granddaughter Madison, and grandsons Cayle Newton and Tyler Newton; his son and family David and Julie Goldsmith of Guthrie, grandson Matthew, and granddaughter Kaitlyn; his sister-in-law Verna Lynne Goldsmith of Booker, TX; his brother-in-law Ronald Newton of Polson, MT; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.



David Goldsmith Memorial Service will be held at Summit Church, 3616 SW 119th St., Oklahoma City. 
Saturday June 27th at 10:30 AM.

Social distancing will be observed with spaced seating. 
Masks are optional, but will be available.

In keeping with David’s loving and generous spirit, it is his wish to support organ donation through Lifeshare Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in David’s name through the LifeShare Foundation, 4705 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73132. Checks may be sent with David Goldsmith's name in the memo line, or donate online at https://www.lifeshareokfoundation.org

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