Brent Radford Smith, was born in Colfax, Washington in 1940.  His father, Laurel George Smith, was a professor at Washington State College at the time.  His mother, Jennie Margaret Ove, was the daughter of Rev. Tollef Jollefsen Ove, pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.  His grandfather immigrated from Norway in 1888 and was granted citizenship in September 1892.

In 1945, his father assumed a position at Shell Oil Chemical, conducting research on insecticides and their effects. This led to relocations, spanning New Jersey, Denver and eventually Hartsdale, NY in 1955.  Graduating from Ardsley High School at the age of 17 in 1957, Brent proceeded to enroll at Pennsylvania State University.  After two years, he departed due to age constraints, subsequently joining the Navy and serving as an interior communication technician on the USS Lake Champlain during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.  They were dropping depth charges on Russian submarines to make them surface.  This lasted 13 days and nearly caused a nuclear exchange.  His ship also retrieved Alan Shepherd when he returned from Space.

Following military service, Brent relocated to Atlanta, Georgia., where he attended Georgia Tech in Electrical Engineering while working at Bakker Audio. There he supervised the installation of flight information display systems and designed innovative technologies, including a digital display computer for TWA and a random axis microphone switcher for Atlanta Hartsfield Airport.  This controller restricted microphone access to the public address system down to one person.

In 1967, Brent met his future wife, Sheryl McRae in Atlanta where he was a member of the Atlanta Athletic Club at the time.  They were married on August 23, 1969 celebrating their wedding at the Club.  Their children, Blair Radford Smith (born 1972 – 2005) and Laurel McRae Smith (born 1976), grew up in Sandy Springs, where the family resided for 21 years.  Brent was actively engaged in the Atlanta Junior Chamber of Commerce for over six years and participated annually in the Empty Stocking Fund drive with his wife.

Brent’s professional journey included a seven-year tenure as a branch manager for an electronic components manufacturer, followed by a 16-year role as the Southeast Regional Manager covering seven states, Puerto Rico, and South America for Fujitsu Components of America.  Upon retirement, he continued to channel his enthusiasm for working with people by collaborating with retailers such as Brooks Brothers and The Home Depot.

In 2019, Brent and his wife made the decision to relocate to Florida, choosing proximity to their daughter and grandchildren.  In September 2023, Brent received a diagnosis of cancer.  Unfortunately, his health declined, and he passed away in December 2023 following complications from infection and pneumonia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and his son, Blair Smith.  He left behind his wife of 54 years, his daughter, three grandchildren, a brother and his wife and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home Port Charlotte Chapel.