Barry Burdette Smith

Barry Burdette Smith, age 71, passed away on September 24, 2018 at his home in Lantana, FL. Born on March 30, 1947 in Tulsa, OK as number two of what would become a family of ten children, Barry moved to Winter Park, FL in the 10th grade and later graduated from Bay High School in Panama City, FL. Initially attending Florida Presbyterian College (Eckerd College) on an academic scholarship, Barry went on to graduate with honors from Florida Atlantic University in 1992 and received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology with minors in Math, Chemistry and Geology. Endowed with a natural brilliance, Barry received a perfect score on the math section of the GRE. For the last 34 years, Barry has worked as a tutor for high school and college students in many levels of advanced math and science. They excelled under his tutelage and Barry was loved by his students and their families. Barry was a welcome guest in many of their homes during holidays and other family events. Barry loved to read, mostly history of arctic exploration and the American West as well as world history and natural history. He was a humble gentle soul and loved by all especially the nieces and nephews. Somehow, he found time for each one. Described as "kind to his very core", he was also a man of great integrity and a deep thinker with a keen sense of humor. He loved to hike and camp and owned land in Alaska where he enjoyed many a summer with his brother Rodney. Barry loved dogs, owning German shepherds, and other large breeds through most of his life. And he also loved motorcycles fast ones! Mr. Smith is survived by his five (5) brothers and three (3) sisters: Randy Smith and his wife Sheila Smith; Rodney Smith; Forrest Smith and his wife Cindy; Lee Smith and his wife Donna; Marilyn Blanchard; Susan Chaffee and her husband John; Kathleen O'Donnell; and Greg Smith and his wife Lisa. He is also survived by 20 nieces and nephews as well as many great nieces and great nephews. Barry was preceded in his death by his father, Dr. Riley S. Smith, His mother Dorothy Jane Castleberry and his sister, Dr. Diana Jane Smith. Barry was an exceptional individual and he will be greatly missed.