Frank Preston Smith Jr.

Frank Preston Smith, Jr., 72, of Mt. Juliet passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023, while surrounded by his family. He was born on January 12, 1951, in Concord, California, to Helen and Frank Smith. Frank spent his childhood in the bay area of San Francisco. As a child, he enjoyed trips to Candlestick Park to see the Giants play and spending time at the bowling alley, placing 2nd in the California State tournament and earning a national ranking of 4th when he was 11 years old. Following elementary school, Frank moved with his family to Birmingham, Alabama, where he graduated from Berry High School in 1969 and played basketball and baseball.

Frank received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1973. He was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and loved experiencing the magic of Memorial Gymnasium while in school, whether cheering on the basketball team or seeing the Allman Brothers Band. Growing up in what he proclaimed to be the greatest era of music, Frank loved Motown and Classic Rock, placing the Rolling Stones in a class of their own. His passion for music was passed on to both of his sons.

Frank was a civil engineer working primarily in water and wastewater treatment, collection, and distribution. Over his 45-year career, he left an indelible mark on critical water infrastructure throughout Metro Nashville and surrounding counties while working for several consulting firms, including Consoer Townsend, Sverdrup, and Professional Services, and completing his career at Smith Seckman and Reid with over 20 years of service to the firm.

Frank was also an avid sports fan, especially any and all Vanderbilt Commodore sports, and was a proud season ticket holder for football, basketball, and baseball. He also made a habit of attending any sporting events of his children and grandchildren and loved spending time with them traveling to different ballparks across the country.

He married the love of his life Beverly Gaye Bailey on March 8, 1980, in Tullahoma, Tennessee. They were married in the First Baptist Church built by Beverly’s great-grandfather and where Frank’s oldest son later proposed to his wife. When Frank and Beverly weren’t attending a Vanderbilt athletic event, they enjoyed cooking together and traveling. Some of their favorite locations were Tuscany, Copenhagen, and cruising the Mediterranean and Baltic seas. Frank was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and, more than anything, he loved spending time with his family, who will miss him dearly.

Frank is survived by his wife of 43 years, Beverly Gaye Bailey Smith; sister Kristy Seagle; sons Tripp (Caroline) Smith and Matthew (Brittany) Smith; and grandchildren Everett, Preston, Harris, Celia, Eliza, and Eva.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, from 4:00-7:00 pm at Hermitage Funeral Home and on Thursday, April 6, 2023, from 10:00-11:00 am. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 am in the Tulip Grove Room of the funeral home with Rev. Jimmy Carver, officiating. John Boumann, Don Norris, Andrew Johnson, Ben Maddox, Chad Huddleston, and Matt Nicholson will serve as pallbearers. Following the service, Frank will be laid to rest in the Garden of Memories at Hermitage Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Frank's memory to the Catholic Charity of your choice (www.charities.org). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HermitageFH.com for the Smith family.