Darrell Smith

Ernest Darrell Smith 80, of Las Cruces, was born in Charleston, Arkansas, to Edward and Anna Mae Smith, on November 12, 1942, and went to heaven on January 21, 2023.

Darrell moved in Las Cruces in 1959 from Lavaca, AR. Once here, he began his lengthy career in law enforcement. In the late 60's, he started with Dona Ana Sherriff's Department as a Sherriff's deputy and eventually moved to communications. He transferred to Las Cruces Police Department where he was the supervisor of communications. Darrell was instrumental in the development of Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch, (MVRDA), where he was the deputy director and eventually 911 Coordinator until he retired in 1999. While there, he met many friends that are now family to him. This was his life, and he was so great at it. After he retired from MVRDA, he accepted a position for a company out of Arizona, Goserco, which allowed him to travel and still work with communication centers around the region. He finally retired from working altogether just a few years ago. This allowed he and his wife, Irma, to travel and spend as much time as they could visiting casinos. If he wasn't traveling, he could be found tinkering in his garage on his latest project or sitting on his front porch swing enjoying a cigar and listening to big band music on his radio.

Darrell was the greatest husband, father, pop, papa and friend anyone could ask for. He will be greatly missed. He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Smith, his mother, father and brother.

He is survived by his wife, Irma Smith, his children, Greg Smith, Chris Sanchez and Darra (David) Miller, his loving grandchildren, Damon, Estevan, Nathan, Barbara, Kaden, Daric and Chesha, his stepchildren, Linda (Bo) Blackwood, Karen (David) Soria, Tammy (Mike) Slaugh, Michael (Kimberly) Lloyd and June Lloyd, and his special cousins from Arkansas, Shirley Wilson and David Lovell.

We would like to give a special thank you to Janet Eberwine of Ambercare and Getz Funeral Home. They have been amazing during this time.

Visitation will be held at Getz Funeral Home on Monday, January 30, 2023, from 5-7pm and funeral Services will be at Getz Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at 10am.

Service Details.
Visitation
When
Monday, January 30, 2023 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location
Getz Funeral Home Chapel
Address
1410 E. Bowman Ave.
Las Cruces, NM 88001


Service When
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 10:00am
Location
Getz Funeral Home Chapel
Address
1410 E. Bowman Ave.
Las Cruces, NM 88001


Interment Location
Masonic Cemetery
Address
760 S Compress Rd
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005