Duer Philips Smedley, Jr.

Duer Philips Smedley, Jr., 81, of Jonesborough, Tennessee, went home to heaven on November 17, 2022, at his son’s residence. He was the husband of the late Nancie (Bond) Smedley, who passed away in March 2022. 

Born in Coatesville on March 2, 1941, he was the son of the late Duer Philips Smedley, Sr. and Dorothy (Stoudt) Smedley. Duer grew up in Downingtown, PA and graduated from Downingtown Jr Sr High School, where he enjoyed participating in football and running track. He held several jobs in the area including delivering milk for his family’s dairy business at the Lowebrook Dairy Farm. He was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force.  

Duer, alongside his wife, was passionate about promoting the cause of his Savior Jesus Christ. After graduating from the Aviation Program of Moody Bible Institute, he served as a missionary pilot with Mission Aviation Fellowship for 17 years in the Amazon of Brazil, the Caribbean Islands, and Angola, Africa.  He worked another 17 years with Moody Bible Institute while based in South Florida and Tennessee.  Duer enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, traveling, and hiking, often hiking on the Appalachian Trail. 

Surviving are his children Philip Smedley, husband of Nancy, of Downingtown, Stacie Bowers, wife of Jim, of Fajardo, Puerto Rico; grandchildren Amanda Smedley, Patric Smedley, husband of Gwendolyn, Paige Snyder, wife of Dellwyn, Cory Bowers, Lauren Bowers and Marlene Bowers; great grandchildren Emily Josephine and Brayden Walter; and sister-in-law Mary Beth Smedley. He was preceded in death by his siblings Robert Smedley and Mary Ann DiBenedetto.

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Chapel Chester Springs, 217 Dowlin Forge Rd, Exton, PA 19341, on Monday, November 28 at 3:00pm, followed by a receiving line and light refreshments. 

His ashes will be interred with military honors at the Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, TN, on Monday, December 19 at 11:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Duer’s memory to “The Well”, PO Box 181, Johnson City, TN 37605 or thewelljc.com/donate/. Duer and Nancie supported this ministry which serves the college students of East Tennessee.