Veteran O.C. Journalist Don Smith Honored

If you were a journalist or reader in Orange County in the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s or ‘80s, you knew about Don Smith.

Already a veteran of covering Orange County for the Fullerton News Tribune and the Santa Ana Register, Smith joined the Orange County staff of The Times in 1956, where his byline appeared regularly for 34 years.

He covered Orange County as a reporter, county government bureau chief, political writer, assistant city editor and restaurant critic. He taught journalism at Fullerton College, his alma mater, and acted as mentor to scores of prospective and fledgling journalists through press club and Explorer programs.

He helped shape the Orange County Press Club and helped form the local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, serving as president of both organizations.

During his 43-year journalism career, Smith won 39 press club writing and photography awards. Now, six years after his retirement, he’s won another, a special award “for exemplifying decades of outstanding achievement in Orange County journalism.”

“I’ve said every day of my life in this business: I have never had a job that was more fun. It was fun every day,” said Smith, now 71.

“And it’s one of the most satisfying jobs I’ve ever known, especially when you get your hands on a good story, do it well and accomplish something with it.”