Steven Douglas Smith Jr.

Steven Douglas Smith, Jr., affectionately known as “Smitty,” was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on October 16, 1963, to Karen and Steven Smith, Sr. He spent his early years in Cedar Rapids until, at age three, his family moved to St. Louis, Missouri. That move marked the beginning of several relocations as his father’s career took the family to Freeport, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; and eventually the Atlanta area, where Smitty would make his home.

Smitty attended Mountain Park Elementary School and Roswell High School, where he excelled as an honor student and athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track. He graduated from Roswell High School with honors. The members of the Class of ’82, including the teachers and coaches, at Roswell High School remain some of the most loyal friends Smitty ever had.

Following high school, Smitty and a close friend enrolled at Davidson College. While there, he decided to pursue his passion for engineering and transferred to Georgia Tech, where he majored in nuclear engineering and graduated with honors. He later earned his MBA from Georgia State University.

Smitty began his professional career as a nuclear engineer with Impell, a nuclear consulting firm. He later joined Advantage Industrial Automation, where he became a limited equity partner and officer specializing in automation software. Following the sale of Advantage, he joined Automatech as Vice President of the Software Division until his passing. He was a highly respected professional and valued colleague throughout his career.

While Smitty accomplished much professionally, his greatest impact was on the people he loved. He had a genuine love for people and deeply cared for those fortunate enough to be part of his life. He coached his sons’ Little League teams, becoming a lifelong mentor, role model, and friend to many of the boys he coached.

Smitty also had a lifelong passion for golf. Following in his father’s footsteps, he was a member of the Atlanta Athletic Club for many decades and had the opportunity to play some of the world’s most famous and challenging courses. He had many favorites and treasured the friendships and memories made along the way.

One of the most special places in Smitty’s life was Pebble Beach, where he married the love of his life, Pat Martin. Their wedding ceremony overlooked the 18th green, a fitting setting for a man who loved golf so much. Together, Smitty and Pat shared nearly 30 years of a loving marriage filled with family, friendship, laughter, and countless cherished memories.

Smitty will be deeply missed by his wife, Pat; his sons, Steffen (Rachel) and Erik Smith; his soon-to-arrive granddaughter; his parents; and his beloved dog, Ellie. He also leaves behind countless friends, colleagues, former players, and others whose lives he touched throughout the years.

Smitty’s legacy will live on through the many people he mentored, encouraged, loved, and inspired. He will be remembered for his intelligence, generosity, friendship, devotion to his family, and genuine care for others.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Smitty to the illumniNations 12 Verse Challenge, https://illuminations.bible/12vc/ or to the charity of your choice.

Burial services will be private at Green Lawn Cemetery in Roswell, Georgia. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the Atlanta Athletic Club.