Prentiss Edward Smith, Jr., MD, 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, October 23, 2023, at his home in Baton Rouge. He was born in Hattiesburg, MS, to Prentiss Edward Smith, Sr., MD, and his wife Katie Arnold Smith on September 14, 1934. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Katherine Aldridge McCarthy, MD, a daughter Ashley Anne, and niece Ann Aldridge as well as his first wife and mother of his children Vivienne Manger Smith Brinkerhoff.
Dr. Smith graduated from Hattiesburg High School, obtained his B.S. in Chemistry in 1956 and his M.D. in 1959 from Tulane University. Internship (1959-1960) and Residency on the Tulane Service were completed at Charity Hospital of Louisiana in 1966. He also completed a Fellowship in Cardiovascular Surgery at Texas Heart Institute from 1991-1992. He was board certified in General Surgery and Thoracic Surgery. Upon completion of his education, he accepted a teaching position at Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine.
In 1967 at the age of 33, he received his draft notice and began his military service in the U.S. Army Medical Corps on August 6, 1967. He served as a Combat Surgeon at the 3rd Field Hospital, Republic of South Vietnam from 1968-1969. During his service there, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
He returned to the States and joined the Baton Rouge Clinic for 2 years and then opened his own practice. He was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, the Louisiana State Medical Society, the Capital Area Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. Honors included Outstanding Young Investigator – American College of Cardiology 1967, Certificate of Achievement U.S. Army Hospital, Ft. Carson, CO 1968, Certificate of Achievement Darnall Army Community Hospital, Ft. Hood, TX 2005.
Other business interests included nursing homes, a casino in Las Vegas, and farming in New Augusta, MS. He was an avid reader and card shark. Other hobbies included airplanes, hunting and fishing, snow skiing, and travel.
Dr. Smith is survived by his wife of 45 years, Susan, and his three children Katie Matison (Dave) of Seattle, WA, Prentiss III (Kim) of Baton Rouge, and Leah Cannon (Ronnie) of Madison, MS. In addition he was the proud grandfather of 6: Prentiss IV (Isabel), Brookhaven, MS, Christopher Smith (Dottie), Daphne, AL, Ansley Smith, MD, Louisville, KY, Elliot Smith (Lori), Tampa, FL, Luke Jones (Sarah), Houston, TX, and Nick Hanson (Stephanie), Houston, TX and 9 great-grandchildren: Prentiss V, Eliza, Amelie, Wyatt, Myles, Jackie, Mia, Truett, and Goldie.
A special thank you to his caregivers: Barbara Thomas and her family: Wilbert, MeC, Darrel, and Matalius. Lastly, a thank you to Jay Quiet, Dianne Spears, and Natasha Williams.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 26, at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East (11000 Florida Blvd), at 9 am until service 11. A reception will follow.
