Harvey Smith

SMITH, Harvey Frank

H. Frank Smith Jr. passed away on January 29, 2021, several days after he experienced a significant stroke. He was 93 years old. Frank was born in Doerun, Georgia on May 2, 1927 and is survived by son Franklin Smith (Maxine) of Atlanta; daughters Jennifer Smith McClure (Alan) and Suzie Smith Harper (Ted) of Atlanta; grandchildren Ivey and Matthew Smith; Tippa McClure Horsley (Nathan), Andy McClure (Meghan), and Ford McClure; and Virginia Lee and Catherine Lee Smith (Chris), and three great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of over 60 years Bette Jeanne (BJ) Smith, parents H. Frank Smith Sr., Johnnie Belle Cranford Smith, brothers Robert Cranford Smith, MD, James Helm Smith, and daughter Barbara Jeanne Harlan. Frank had a long, accomplished life and was a pillar of the community. During WWII he served in the Army from 1944-1946. He established and served as Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 370 in Atlanta where he later received the Silver Beaver in recognition of his service to scouting. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Atlanta for over 40 years, having served one term as its President, and received the club's Ivan Allen Award for Club Service. As part of that service, Frank and his family hosted over 150 foreign students (Young Rotarians) for periods varying from one day to over one year. He served a term as the President of Cherokee Town and Country Club where he was involved with many of the Club's capital building programs. Frank loved Lake Rabun and served the Lake Rabun Association as a member of its board of Trustees and for one term as its President. He was a Charter Member of St. James Methodist Church (1960) and a member of the Peachtree Presbyterian Church Covenant Sunday School class (23 years). In addition to his community work, Frank was also an accomplished businessman. He was an integral part of building the skyline of Atlanta and other cities in the 1970's and 1980's. He was a graduate of Georgia Tech with a degree in Electrical Engineering and was a Professional Engineer registered in Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. As president and part owner of Allison-Smith Company, an electrical contracting and engineering firm, he helped build the original Lenox Square Mall, the original Merchandise Mart, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, a majority of the Peachtree Center buildings, the Omni Arena, the original Omni Center buildings, core electrical for shopping malls (Northlake, Southlake and Cumberland Malls), Proctor and Gamble headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, and seven IBM buildings in Boca Raton/Delray Florida. Frank was also very active in business organizations including: Member of the Atlanta Electrical Advisory Board, President of the American Subcontractors of Georgia, and served as Secretary and Director of the national American Contractors Association. Frank was known for his dedication to family, friends, and his community. His success was based on honesty, candor and hard work.

Due to COVID-19, there will be no service at this time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to The Lake Rabun Scholarship Fund. The Lake Rabun Association established this fund with a focus on providing scholarships for Rabun County high school graduates.

Donations in his memory may be made to:

Lake Rabun Foundation - Scholarship Fund

PO Box 114

Lakemont, GA 30552-0002

Make checks payable to: "NGCF-Lake Rabun Scholarship Fund"