Dr. Philip D. Smith, Jr.

Dr. Philip D. Smith, Jr., passed away peacefully on December 9, 2025 in Paris, TN, at the home of his son.  He was born February 22, 1933 in Berkely, CA but gradually moved eastward and had a long and distinguished career at West Chester University.

Valedictorian of his high school class (1950), he completed his B. A. (Pepperdine, 1954), M. A. (1959) and M. Ed. equivalent (1964) at the University Nevada, and his PhD. at Ohio State University (1967).  He arrived at WCU in 1967 as a professor of Languages and was fluent in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Gaelic, Japanese and Irish. Combining his loves for languages, teaching and electronics, his research led the way for the U. S. Defense Language Institute, the Peace Corps, and the commercial Pimsleur Language Programs.

A member of Phi Delta Kappa, he received the Governor’s Award for Excellence (1969), Excellence in Teaching Award (1976), and was designated a Commonwealth Teaching Fellow for 1976. He served as Department head, Assistant Dean of Academics, and Dean of West Chester University – Japan.  His c.v. lists over 17 periodical and 30 book publications before his retirement.

A member of the Kentucky Lake Road church of Christ, he had helped plant churches in Exton, PA, Hilliard, OH and Carson City, NV.  He was a life member of the Scottish Tartans Society, and a founding member of the Scottish Tartan’s Authority, and of An Comunn Gàidhealach, USA. Hobbies included world travel, Amateur radio, genealogy, Scottish tartan design, Scouting, bagpiping, and Scottish history - the latter recognized by being elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquarians of Scotland in 1980, a rare achievement for an American.

He was predeceased in 2023 by his wife of over 69 years, Shirley Irene Grant, a son, Philip D. Smith, 3rd, a brother, Don Lepage, and both his parents, Dorothy Gibbs and Philip D. Smith.

He is survived by a son, Edward (Sara) of Paris, TN, a daughter, Corrine Garrison of Cookeville, TN, and a brother, Rodney Smith, of Reno, NV, as well as seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to join the family for an interment service on March 27, 2026 at 2 PM at the Birmingham Lafayette Cemetery, Edward Smith officiating.  Arrangements are being handled by DellaVechia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home of West Chester.