WASHINGTON - Damon Philip Smith, 3rd, 57, a managing director at Samco Capital Markets Inc. who previously held a similar post at J.P. Morgan died Saturday at the Waveny Care Center in New Canaan, Conn., of what was believed to be Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
Mr. Smith had joined Samco in June to open up an office in New York City for the Dallas-based firm.
Before that he was a managing director in the public finance department at J.P. Morgan. He spent 14 years with that firm in New York City. He previously worked at First Boston Corp., and Dillon Read & Co., also in New York City.
Mr. Smith served on the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board from Oct. 1, 1997 to Sept. 30, 1999.
He was a member of the Board of Advisors at the University of Texas Graduate School and the Municipal Advisory Council of Texas. He was involved in the Believe in Me Foundation and other charities, was a senior warden at St. Marks Episcopal Church in New Canaan, Conn., and co-chair of the churchs capital campaign, as well as a Sunday school teacher.
Steve Young, a managing director and head of fixed income at Samco in Dallas, said Mr. Smith will be missed. Damon had an infectious personality. Any stranger he met wasnt one in five minutes, said Young. He always took genuine interest in people whether they were senior to him or subordinate. He was able to maintain close ties with his friends in Texas while building relationships in New York. He transcended both marketplaces.
Peter Hill, a managing director and co-head of the public finance department at J. P. Morgan, said, All of us in the municipal bond community were proud to have worked along side Damon during his career. He loved the municipal bond market, the high ideals it stands for, and the public good it represents. But most of all, well miss his humor, his friendship, and his Texas twang.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Sara Smith, and his two sons, Casey and Tatum. He was predeceased by his son, Damon Philip Smith, 4th.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 11:00 a.m., EST, at St. Marks Episcopal Church, 111 Oenoke Ridge, in New Canaan. A reception will be held after that at the New Canaan Country Club. There will be no calling hours. Mr. Smith will be interred Friday at 2:00 p.m., EST, in Llano, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Waveny Care Center at 3 Farm Road, New Canaan, Conn., 06840.
