A D Smith of Shafter was born November 20, 1932 and joined his wife and baby son in heaven one day after his 90th birthday on November 21, 2022.

Smith surnamed James David Rogers was adopted and went to live with his new parents John and Lillie Mae Smith in Tippah County Mississippi as a small boy. His new parents named him A. D. Smith. Smith grew up in Tippah County Mississippi where he learned farming and hard work. As a young man he joined the Army and served his country faithfully and was proud of his veteran status. After his discharge he and his family were living in California where he met his wife Ina Mae Smith.

A D and Ina were married 57 years at her passing in 2018. He never stopped missing his ``pumpkin'' and talked to her in his dreams until his death.

Upon his marriage to Ina Mae he inherited two children: Ruben Ray Clingan and Mary Diane Givens (Clingan). Through the years he became lovingly known by his knew family as ``Pop''. A D and Ina Mae had one son together Jesse Carr Smith who was born in 1961 but only lived four days before his passing on to Heaven. Through the years A D would see his family grow to 5 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 1 Great Great Granddaughter Alice Rodriguez born in 2022. He loved his grandchildren more than anything! He and Ina Mae could always be seen at ball games or home playing dominoes with any of them that came and visited. The grandkids knew that at Grandpas house they would get lots of treats and have a blast!

After Ina Mae's passing A D lived independently at his little ranch house outside of Shafter. He was the garden/mowing/watering King.

At one point he had three garden lawnmower tractors, two sheds full of tools, seeds, weed eaters, shovels, rakes, water hoses and much more. He loved being outside taking care of the flowers and yard. When the work of the day was ended you would find him on his porch sitting in his chair near the humming bird feeder watching his favorite humming bird come to eat or talking with his neighbors.

In early 2022 A D had to make the hard transition from independence to his new home at Carrington of Shafter, once there he insisted that they knew nothing about watering plants and taking care of a garden so he was given the job of making sure the plants and garden never lacked for water and tender care. You would find him outside everyday taking care of the things he loved and then sitting at his new front porch talking to his new friends or just enjoying the sunshine.

At Carrington A D gained the love of many and it was evident in the last days of his life as each would come by even if not working to check on him. He was opinionated and didn't mind telling the girls up front how they should do things. But Alicia, Brittney, Amanda and Teresa and "that boy" Shawn never let him get the best of them. They always knew how to get "Grandpa or Dad as they called him" fired up and they would have a good laugh. Many times you would find him with the caretakers playing checkers or just having a chit chat.

"Pop" A D's favorite past time of all was going out to eat. He especially enjoyed going to China Cuisine where he and his wife spent a lot of time before her passing telling Scotty about their latest adventure in Lemoore. Scotty, Joy, Stephanie and Jeffrey were their extended family and to the end they would always send him home with a little extra soup or a little pie. They would say we want him to eat.

Smith is survived by his daughter Diane Givens (Tony), son Ruben Clingan (Debbie), Granddaughters Rebecca Miller (Roy), Candie Springer (Steve), Grandson Chad Givens (Venessa), Granddaughters Amber Tracy (Carl Robinson) Heather Eldredge (Justin), 15 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter, brother in law Leeman Parker (Oli Mae) and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Services were held Saturday, November 26 at 11 a.m. and Military internment will be Friday, December 2, 10 a.m. at Bakersfield National Cemetery. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter was in charge of the service and Pastor Jim Glasco officiated. We want to say a special thank you to Rick for helping us with all the preparations and Pastor Jim for coming by and visiting "Pop" and praying with him.

The family would like to thank the managers, care takers and workers at Carrington of Shafter. Especially Alicia, Brittany, Teresa, Amanda, Desiree, Matilde, Delores, Kimberly, Victoria, Julian, and Elsie (lashes). We appreciate the love, friendship, and care that you showed our "Pop". And of course, to Scotty, Joy, Jeffrey, and Stephanie we say thank you for always treating our "Pop" like family we love you! To all who sent cards, flowers, made food and especially prayed we thank you and say God Bless.

"Pop" A D will be missed but now he is enjoying Heavens Garden with his sweetheart and son. Matthew 9:7 "He got up and went home"