Obituary of Wayne A. Smith, Jr.

Bert Smith, 80, of Palmetto passed away Friday, May 9, 2014. Bert was born September 28, 1923 in Clearwater, Florida. He was a local outdoorsman and a rare 5th generation Floridian. His great-great-grandfather founded the town of Hudson on the west coast of Florida. Bert graduated from Clearwater High School and the University of Florida. He completed his graduate degree at the University of Tennessee. After graduation, Bert worked for Arthur Young & Co. in Atlanta, GA for many years. He moved to Bradenton, where he had his own C.P.A firm. Bert was always active in the community and was past president of the Desoto Boys Club. He served as treasurer and fund raiser for the Boys Club and a member of the Manatee/Sarasota Fish & Game Assoc., & Ducks Unlimited. He helped organize the Bradenton Florida Herald’s Fishing College, where he was also an instructor. In 1942, Bert was named “Outdoorsman of the Year” (Crosthwait Award) by the Bradenton Herald. Bert also served as a crew member for the Hernando Desoto Historical Society. Bert is survived by his son, Samuel E. Smith (Kathy), daughters, Melanie Williams (Troy); Pam Smith of Bryson City, NC; Heather Knuth (Rich) and their 2 children, Sawyer and Bryson from New Smyrna Beach. Bert had an easy manner & dry sense of humor that will be missed by all who knew him. He was an excellent cook and many will miss his smoked mullet, hams and turkey feasts as well. Private memorial services are planned. The family requests that anyone wishing to honor Bert’s memory, please make their donations to Boys Club of Manatee County