Douglass Smith

Family-Placed Death Notice

SMITH, Douglass DOUGLASS CUNNINGHAM SMITH, 70, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, November 14, 2011, after an extended battle with lymphoma. Doug, a leader in the industrial supply industry, was recognized as the nation's Outstanding Distributor of the Year in 1994. He co-founded Boring & Smith in Atlanta, Georgia and later acquired Ensco Supply in Greensboro, North Carolina and Dixie Industrial Supply in Shelby, North Carolina to form Industrial Distribution Group, which had more than 20 locations and over 300 associates with an unmatched reputation for quality. In 1997, he joined forces with eight other companies to form Industrial Distribution Group, the ninth largest publically traded industrial distributor in the country. Doug grew up in Parkville, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore, and graduated from the University of Maryland where he was an active member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He moved to Atlanta in 1965 as a sales representative for Black & Decker and soon met Sue, his beloved wife of 44 years, at Druid Hills United Methodist Church. After earning his MBA from Emory University in 1971 and working briefing for IBM, Doug co-founded Boring & Smith in 1972. In retirement, Doug loved playing with his four grandchildren. He enjoyed adventures: annually salmon fishing in Alaska, pheasant hunting in South Dakota, and skiing in Colorado. Doug and Sue also relished their regular vacations in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The door to his home was always open and Doug enjoyed grilling and hosting parties with friends and family. Doug was the son of the late Eloise Haynie Smith and Hugh Smith. Doug is survived by his wife, Sue Smith, daughters Brook Mallory and Ginny Byrnes, sons-in-law Kerry Mallory and Paul Byrnes and grandchildren Sydney, Noah, Paul and Lainey. A visitation for family and friends will be held at Oak Grove United Methodist Church on Thursday, November 17, from 4 - 6 pm. The funeral service will be on Friday, November 18, at 2 pm at Oak Grove United Methodist Church with a visitation immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oak Grove United Methodist Church or CaringBridge.org. Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Georgia 404- 355-7627.