Harold "Hal" Allen Smith

Mr. Harold (“Hal”) Allen Smith, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away on December 19th, 2019. Hal was born on February 23, 1939 in Homer, Nebraska, to the late Rex Alvin Smith and Clara Smith Rich. He attended Midland University formerly known as Midland Lutheran College and Gustavus Adolphus College. He worked at IBM and was a vice president at Valmont Industries for many years. He moved to Florida with his son, Bryan, to become a Sonny’s BBQ Franchisee. Hal was the tenth franchisee and first non-family member of the original franchisor to join this successful restaurant group.

Hal and his wife, Jan, loved spending time at their second residence in Big Sky, Montana. They also enjoyed traveling and fishing with family and friends in Cree Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada. Hal was an avid golfer and a longtime member at Killearn Country Club.

His many hobbies and interests included traversing the United States while coaching an ASA Women’s Slow Pitch Softball team. His Sonny’s BBQ sponsored team finished third in the nation in 1985 . He and Jan bred champion miniature schnauzers. Hal’s pride and joy was CH Rampage’s Repetition who was one of the all time AKC winning schnauzers.

Hal was a people’s person who never met a stranger. “Once a friend always a friend” was his motto. He leaves behind many family, friends and employees who mourn his passing.

Survivors include his wife; son, Bryan (Denise), Tallahassee, Florida and daughter, Lisa Shirley (Sawyer), Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren, Andrew (Sara), Peyton, Jordan; and great-grandchildren Parker and Tessa Kate. His brother, Jack, and sisters, Marilyn and Betty, predeceased him.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on January 15, 2020, at Bradley’s Pond located at 9002 Bradley Road, Tallahassee, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Leon County Humane Society.