Daniel Christopher Smith, at the age of 72, passed away in his home in Shafter, California, on Thursday, October 16, 2025.  The son of Reverand William and Grace Smith, Daniel was a graduate of Brooke High School, class of 1971, Brooke County, West Virginia.  He was a star athlete in track and football.  His football skills got him a full scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh, where he played under Coach Majors.  He went on to get his Bachelor of Arts (1975) with a major in Economics and an MBA in Business Administration (1976).  After Graduate school, Dan moved to California, where he got a job with Ford Motor Company in their management program.

He married his college sweetheart, Janice Smith, on July 16, 1977.    They had their daughters, and Daniel was promoted and moved on to management at Ford Motor Company in Detroit, MI, at the Renaissance Center.  He was in marketing and later in Franchising.  While in Franchising, he pursued acquiring his own franchise dealership, and he was allowed to purchase Queen City Ford in Long Beach, California, with two other partners.  In 1991, He sold his partnership and purchased the franchise in Shafter, California, for Holiday Ford Lincoln Mercury.  Daniel ran Holiday Ford LM for over 20 years until the financial bubble of 2008, when Ford Motor Company shut down over 3,000 dealerships in the country.  Holiday was one of those dealerships.  Daniel and Holiday have received many rewards and recognition in the communities of Shafter, Bakersfield, and Kern County, and among his peers in the automotive business world.   He has been recognized as a pillar of his community and a supporter of many community organizations. In 2023, Daniel continued his entrepreneurial journey with his daughter Adia when they founded S3 Consulting Solutions, a project management and business consulting firm.

Daniel leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Janice, his three daughters, Tamu Kitu Kohls, her husband Kristian Kohls, Amani Rashida Crosshabeyeh, and Adia Grace Smith.  Sister Melissa Williams and her husband Jay Williams, nephew Matthew Winston, and wife Elizabeth. Sister Michelle Jackson and sons Christopher and Patrick.  Sister Lila Wolfram and husband John. Brother David Smith and son Jason Smith. Niece Alicia Rentschler and husband Jonathan.   His grandchildren are Mia Rios, Edgardo Crosshabeyeh, Naeem Crosshabeyeh, and Daniel Crosshabeyeh.

Livestreaming will be made available for those who will not be able to attend.