Rick Smith

He is also survived by his brothers, Allen Smith of Hutchinson, Minnesota, and Mike Smith of High Point, North Carolina.

He is predeceased by his parents, Fred R. Smith, Sr. and Hazel Brogan Smith.

A lifelong educator, coach, mentor, and administrator, Rick was a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Georgia State University. His professional honors are too numerous to list, and he was a member of many professional organizations.

He started his career as a teacher and coach, where he encouraged thousands of young people to work harder and achieve more than they ever could have believed. As an administrator, he mentored and guided many educators.

He was a man of honesty and integrity who sought each day to do the right thing. His guidance was often as gentle and pointed as the question, “Are you really sure you want to do that?” and he could calm a storm simply by asking, “Do you feel better now?”

He rose through the ranks of administration, serving at Soddy Daisy Middle School, Soddy Daisy High School, and was Principal at East Ridge Middle School and the first Principal at the then-new Loftis Middle School. He was promoted to Director of Middle Schools, Deputy Superintendent, and Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, where he was awarded P.T.A. Superintendent of the Year and was selected by his peers as Superintendent of the Year in Southeast Tennessee.

Upon retirement, he took on his favorite role as full-time husband, father, and Papa. He took great joy in taking care of his girls, who in turn adored him.

He will be greatly missed by his friends and by the many people whose lives he touched.

There will be no service due to COVID, but his family asks that donations be directed to Hospice of Chattanooga and American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 South Moore Rd. East Ridge, TN 37412.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com