Burton G. Smith DDS

Burton Gerard Smith DDS passed away April 5th, 2022 at the Life Care Center of Ooltewah in Chattanooga, TN, at the age of 95, succumbing to his battle with dementia. Dr. Smith was born on July 7th 1926 in Springfield Ohio to George and Margaret Smith, who preceded his death as well as his brothers George Jr and Bretland, his sister Rachel Egger, his wife Nancy Aline Griner Smith. He is survived by his children: Douglas G Smith, Camille A Morgan, Lawrence E Smith MD, Kevin T Smith MD. He is also survived by his grandchildren Austin Ettinger, Micaela Smith, Lilly and Lawson Smith.

Dr. Smith graduated from Springfield Ohio high School in 1944, followed by his gallant service in the US army from 1944 to 1946, partly in WW2, as a combat infantry soldier, and trained in fired anti-tank artillery, in the 53rd battalion, 17th replacement depot. He also assisted with training of other soldiers as a fitness drill sergeant. He was deployed to France immediately after the war. He also served in the reserves. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1946. He was accepted to West Point but could not attend due to other ambitions.

He graduated with a BA at the University of Miami (OH) and received a DDS degree from Ohio State University (he was a buckeye through and through). He was a resident at Cincinnati School of medicine and then Indiana University School of dentistry where he trained in oral surgery in Indianapolis at Wishard Memorial Hospital. Dr. Smith had a long, well-established successful practice in oral surgery associated with community Hospital and 1952 until 2012, when he finally retired completely at the young age of 85. He was involved with many medical societies over the years, and he performed much free care to Indianapolis citizens. He married Nancy Aline Griner in Indianapolis. It was love at first sight. They were married 62 years, and he remained loving and loyal to one another all that time.

Burton enjoyed his time coaching his sons in little league baseball and leading many family trip excursions throughout the country. He greatly enjoyed spending time in Florida at their former condominium on Singer Island that he and Nancy owned for many years. He provided well for his family and his family was very important to him. He instilled to his kids the importance of responsibility, dedication, and that work is before play, but both are important. He taught the art of household repairs, and how to use that green thumb. He spent his later years along with his beloved wife, raising and caring for his grandson Austin, helping him develop into a man. Burton exemplified the meaning of dedication, hard work, toughness, perseverance, yet had a soft, kind, loving soul. His faith in the Lord was strong, he was a lifelong Lutheran, and he was a member of cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel Indiana. We will also miss his hard work ethic, congeniality, kindness, compassion, selfless devotion to his patients, family and church, sense of humor, and of course hearing his many stories.

Private family Services will be held in Eaton, IN, date TBD, where he will be buried with the Griner family. He will also be honored in the VA Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Brain Association, in Care of Burton Smith

Donate to Support Brain Research (americanbrainfoundation.org)

Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com

Announcement by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist – Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421