Al Jackson Smith Jr.

Al Jackson Smith, Jr., of Locust Grove, GA passed away Friday, October 30, 2015. He was born in Meridian, Mississippi the son of the late Al Jackson Smith Sr. and Katherine Felker Smith. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Charlene Smith Knight. Mr. Smith earned a B. S. in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University, a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Vanderbilt University, a J.D. of Law from the Atlanta Law School, and a Master of Laws from the Woodrow Wilson College of Law. Al began his career as a Civil Engineer with the Mississippi State Highway Department. Later, he became the Director of the EPA, Region IV, Superfund Program, where he served on the Congressional Committee work group developing statues and amendments for the Superfund program. During this time Mr. Smith was named an EPA national expert. After authoring the nation’s first college level text book on hazardous substance response, “Managing Hazardous Substance Accidents,” by McGraw Hill, Mr. Smith became the Deputy Director of the EPA’s, Region IV, Water Management Division; he began teaching environmental seminar courses at Vanderbilt University, the University of Arkansas, Georgia Tech, and the University of Alabama. Al was certified as a Professional Engineer in South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, New York, Michigan, and Ohio. After retiring from the EPA, Mr. Smith became Of Counsel for The Atlanta Law Firm of Hurt, Richardson, Garner, Todd, and Cadenhead, eventually becoming the head of its environmental practice and later, serving Of Counsel for the Atlanta Law Firm of McRae, Secrest, and Fox. He continued to work privately with several distinguished Atlanta Firms. Mr. Smith became the City Solicitor of Stockbridge in 1984, served as a Municipal Judge for the City of Locust Grove in 1988, while managing a Pro Bono law practice that served the local community. Al began his final endeavor as an Environmental Regulatory Consultant in private practice working in litigation support, case advisement, and as a national expert witness. During his long and distinguished career, Mr. Smith authored over 70 category I & II publications, 40 technical writings, was the recipient of the EPA’s Gold Medal for Exceptional Service, the recipient of EPA’s Bronze Medal for Distinguished Service, the recipient of EPA’s Gold Medal for Distinguished Career, named Who’s Who in American Science & Engineering, named to the Board of Directors of Kiber Engineering, appointed to the Henry County Juvenile Court Citizens Review Panel, and listed in “2000 Outstanding Scientists of the 20th Century” by the International Biographical Center in Cambridge, England. Mr. Smith also served on the Henry County Water Authority Board from 2005 to 2012. Al Smith, Jr., is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Scruggs Smith of Locust Grove, GA; a son, Johnny Smith and his wife, Judy of Covington, GA; daughters, Vicki Williams and her husband, Steve of Roswell, GA and Kathy Brinkley and her husband, Keith of Locust Grove, GA; grandchildren, Taylor and Maggie Smith, Patricia and C. J. Williams, Matthew and Alli Brinkley; a brother, Dave Smith of Terry, MS; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM and a graveside service will follow at the Locust Grove Cemetery at 3:30 PM with Warren Holder officiating. The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Action to Cure Kidney Cancer at www.ac.kc.org.