John Dustin (Dusty) Smith, of 6 Smith Lane, Lake Placid, NY died on March 4th , 2026 at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid. John was born in Lake Placid on June 19, 1923, the son of John H. and Eva Cotton Smith.

He was predeceased by his wife Mabel Hartson Smith in 2016. He was also predeceased by five sisters and one brother; Rosemary Smith, Theresa Smith Favro, Muriel Smith Willis, Lera Smith Lincoln, and Rita Smith Hartson, and Joseph H. Smith.

He is survived by are two sons, Richard D. (Susan) Smith of Lake Placid, and William H. (Janice) Smith of Tonawanda, NY and one daughter, Janis S. (Robert) Bickford of Malone, NY; six grandchildren, David H. Smith (Carrie) and Erik T. Smith, Justin R. (Kay-Lynn) Bickford and Kelsey M. (Douglas) Juntunen, Michael D. (Sharon) Smith, and Kathleen E. Smith; nine great grandchildren also survive, Barrett and Bailey Smith, Austin, Emmalynn, Julianna, and Cohen Bickford, Lucia Mabel Smith, William Eduardo Neri, Quinn Mabel Juntunen. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

John attended Lake Placid High School before joining the United States Army in 1943-1945, serving during WW II. John traveled to Washington, D.C., in 2013 with the first North Country Honor Flight. He was also fortunate enough at 100 years old to be asked to travel with the 223 North Country Honor Flight accompanied by his two Veteran sons, Richard & William.

John worked at the Lake Placid Club from 1949 to 1962. Then, he was employed with the Lake Placid Central School District until his retirement in June of 1985. He was an active member of the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department from 1953 to well into the 90s. Dusty was always willing to lend a helping hand to those with automobile issues. Being the "Oldest Living Resident" of Lake Placid, he shared his knowledge of the history of Lake Placid with many people including students at the Lake Placid Central School.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, March 10th at 10:00 am to 11:30 am. An American Legion Prayer Service will be held at 11:30 am followed by a Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department Prayer Service. A funeral Service will be held at 12:00 noon at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Norton Cemetery in Keene, NY. Rev. John Yonkovig will officiate.

Those wishing to remember him may donate to the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department, Lake Placid Ambulance Service in lieu of flowers.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home, 2310 Saranac Ave., Lake Placid, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to share a memory, or leave condolences online at www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com.