Brian Alan Smith

Brian Alan Smith, age 66, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Born in Johnson City, Tennessee to the late Warren and Dean Smith, Brian grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Charleston, South Carolina alongside his older brother Charles.

After graduating from Fort Johnson High School in Charleston, South Carolina (‘77), Brian attended The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia where he graduated with a Bachelors Arts in Journalism (BAJ ’81). He later returned to Athens and earned a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia (DVM ’95) and, after a short time working in small animal hospitals, he began a 28 year career with the United States Department of Agriculture.

No matter the season, you could find Brian back in Athens wearing red and black and cheering on The Dawgs. Whether it was a Saturday night between the hedges in Sanford Stadium or a Sunday afternoon in the stands at Foley Field, you could count on Brian cheering, yelling, and laughing alongside his college roommates and life-long friends as they talked sports, family, and memories from the good ole days.

More than he loved calling the Dawgs, Brian loved his family. He never missed a game, performance, meet, tournament, show, or event that his kids were a part of. He was always intentional about making time for them, always willing to help with anything, and always available to listen and give advice. And as his kids grew older, that same intentionality extended to his grandchildren. He showed up for tee ball games, gymnastic practices, and birthdays. Any opportunity to spend time with his grandkids, Grandpa showed up, because there’s no place he’d rather have been than with them. From watching them round the bases to sitting on the floor playing with toys, he was never more content than when he was with Ellie, Shelby, Lillie, and Hudson. He loved his family, and his family loved him.

The love of a father is hard to match, but Brian’s love for the Father surpassed even that for his family. From early days attending church with his parents, Jesus had always been a constant presence in his life and helped create a solid foundation of faith that he lived out in his day-to-day life. He modeled a life of generosity, humility, and grace that could only come from walking with the Spirit. He pointed others to Jesus through his friendship, kindness, and care. While we grieve here, we know Brian’s faith is made sight as he celebrates and sings the new life found in Jesus.

He is survived by his son and his family—Garrison, Emily, Hudson, Lillie, and Shelby—his daughter and her family—Bethany, Zack, and Eliana Perry—and his former wife and best friend, Mary Beth Smith.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 7 at 1:00PM at 12Stone Church – Snellville. A visitation with the family will be held from 12:00PM–1:00PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Micah Project. More information can be found at micahprojecthonduras.org/donate.