Patrick D Smith

Patrick D. Smith, 86, of Merritt Island, passed away on January 26, 2014 . Patrick will be best remembered as the author of A Land Remembered, the beloved novel of three generations of tough Florida pioneers.

Patrick was born in D’Lo, Mississippi on October 8, 1927. Along with his two brothers, he spent much of his childhood playing along the Strong River, an experience that he later drew on to write his first novel, The River is Home, written when he was 21 year old.

Patrick served in the Merchant Marine at the end of World War II. He made several trips to Europe and to St. Petersburg, Russia. That experience contributed to his novel of the Merchant Marine, The Seas That Mourn.

Patrick married Iris Doty of Deland in 1948. Iris’ family had been in Florida for three generations and Patrick used many details from her ancestors when writing A Land Remembered, including the name Tobias from her grandfather.

Patrick spent his professional career working in public relations, including at the University of Mississippi at a time when the civil rights movement was in full force. He came to Brevard Community College (now Eastern Florida State College) in Cocoa in 1966, where he served for 22 years before retiring. In retirement he lectured extensively throughout Florida.

In 1980 his novel Angel City was produced as a “Movie of the Week” for CBS. It told of the miseries migrant workers often suffered at the hands of unscrupulous crew chiefs, and contributed to the enactment of over a dozen laws that help protect workers from such abuse.

Patrick was honored with numerous awards and honors during his lifetime, including dedication of the Patrick D. Smith Causeway in 2006. In June, 2013, Governor Rick Scott bestowed the Great Floridian award to him in person, at his Merritt Island home.

Patrick is survived by his wife Iris of Merritt Island; his daughter Jane of Merritt Island; son Rick (Patrick, Jr.) (Kim) of Cambria, California; grandchildren Danny Schneider of Merritt Island, Kimber Williams of Colorado Springs, CO., Matthew Smith of Los Angeles, California, Josh Schneider of Merritt Island and Alex (Patrick) Fortune of Merritt Island; and several grandchildren.

The First Annual Brevard Library Foundation ‘Patrick D. Smith Literary Medal’ for excellence in writing by a Brevard County author has been created in Patrick’s honor. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Brevard Library Foundation at brevardlibraryfoundation.org.

A public celebration of life will be held on February 16 on the campus of Eastern Florida State College. See details at PatrickSmithOnline.com/memorial.

Arrangements under the direction of Brevard Memorial Funeral Home, Cocoa, FL.