H. Grady Smith III

H. Grady Smith, III

Augusta, GA – Mr. Henry Grady Smith, III, a lifelong Augusta resident and friend to many, died on October 16, 2018, at his residence.

Grady was the son of H. Grady Smith, Jr. and Pearl Rodrigues Smith. He is survived by his wife: Cathy; daughters: Catherine Smith McKnight and Ashley Kelley (John), both of Augusta; sister: Sandra Blanchard (Joe); and brother: John Smith (Denise). His grandchildren: Kennedy, Clay, Locke McKnight, Jr. Walter, Trudie and Grady Kelley; brothers-in-law: Roger, Wesley, and Chris Alford. Additionally, he had many nieces, nephews and cousins who will never forget him.

Grady Smith was a well-educated man. He graduated from the Academy of Richmond County. And by his own account, he enrolled in several state colleges before he graduated from Augusta College in 1975 with a Business Degree. According to Grady, he even earned a “PHD” in plumbing, heating and drainage. He went to work for his father and later became president of Smith Brothers’ Mechanical Contractors, Inc. While involved in the plumbing industry, he served several terms as President of the Augusta Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Association. In 1980, he was named Outstanding Young Men of America. A member of the State Construction Board since 1992, he was Chairman of the Georgia State Plumbing Board since 1993. Grady loved Augusta. He served two terms on the County Commission, representing Super District 10. During this time he served as mayor pro tem in 2015 and 2016. He served on the Augusta State University Board of Trustees, and was a past director of the Augusta State Alumni Association. As a member of the President’s Club, he received the 1999 Augusta State University Golden Key Award and the President’s Club Award in 2004. A long-time member of the Forest Hills Golf Course Management Committee. Grady was Tournament Director of Augusta State Collegiate Invitational Golf Tournament since 1988 and Chairman of the Augusta State Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament from 1976-2001. A member of the Augusta Country Club and the Augusta Golf Association, Grady loved playing golf with his buddies. A longtime member of the Augusta Exchange Club, he served as president in 2005. Grady’s gift of gab and his love of people were legendary. Few were funnier or warmer – he could tell stories for hours, completely entertaining those in his company. He will be missed for his endless funny stories, his generosity to his fellow man and his love for his family.

The celebration of Grady’s life will be Friday, October 19, 2018, 2:00 P.M at Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church, with Dr. Mike Cash and Dr. Rodger Murchison officiating. Burial will be private. Pallbearers will be Nick Carter, Tom Cely, Brannon Cundey, Jack Ezelle, Larry Fitzgerald, Don Grantham, William Lorick, E.G. Meybohm, Louis Mulherin, Sammy Turner, and Seisel Wall. Honorary pallbearers will be the Augusta Golf Association, the Exchange Club of Augusta, Smith Brothers Mechanical Contractors, and the Augusta Commission.
Memorials may be made in memory of Grady to the University Health Care Foundation, 2100 Central Avenue, Suite D1, Augusta, GA 30904 or www.universityhealth.org .

The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com