A life well lived is a legacy.

Harold Dean Smith (Smitty), age 84, founder and CEO of Smith's Furniture of Mt. Sterling, KY, peacefully passed away Friday, December 25 ^th , 2020 at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Harold was born August 10 ^th , 1936 in Holden, WV to the proud parents of Hazel and Clinton Smith. From Chapmanville High School, Harold enlisted in the United States Air Force, and graduated from WVU Tech Electronics School. During his time of service (while stationed in Owingsville, Kentucky), he met and married the love of his life, Bertie Donaldson on June 3, 1956. Together they had four children: Ricky, Leisha, Tim and Keith.  In 1958, after completing his time as an Airman First Class, Harold was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force.

Moving from Biloxi, MS to Madison, TN to Lexington, KY, Harold's advanced electronic training jump-started his career in repairing tube televisions. In 1959, Harold relocated to Mt. Sterling, KY where he purchased a TV repair shop that specialized in black-and-white television sets and installing TV antennas.  In 1962, his repair shop business moved from his home to the Old Montgomery Hotel building. In 1973, the building formally known as Marvin Gay Warehouse was purchased, remodeled, and is the current home of Smith's Furniture.  Harold's desire to deliver the best possible customer experience led him to expanding his business to furniture, flooring, and appliances.

Serving the Mt. Sterling area for over 60 years Harold had three core principles: take care of your customers, offer reasonable pricing, and if you have a problem fix-it. As a pillar of the community; Harold was a leader and touched many lives with this generosity. He achieved high awards and major recognition from several companies, earning rewarded trips to Bahamas, Acapulco, Jamaica, London, and Greece.  Harold always had a smile on his face, putting his family, friends, and customers first. When he wasn't golfing, you could find him seven days a week doing what he loved, working at his store.

Besides spending time with family and friends golfing, Harold was an avid hunter, fisherman. He also enjoyed horse racing and University of Kentucky Athletics. Lake Weiss, AL, was a favorite and memorable fishing location which he shared with friends and family. During one famous fishing tournament he and a fishing partner won a truck.  If you ever needed recommendations on the best type of potato chips, Harold was a great resource.

Harold loved his business and made sure all his children experienced working at the business while growing up.  Today the business lives on, with son Tim at the helm.  Harold was the patriarch of the family, the man who carved the turkey at Thanksgiving, and always put his family first.

Harold is proceeded in death by his sons, Ricky and Keith Smith, grandson David Smith, parents Hazel and Clinton Smith, sister Marsha Kitchen, and brother Larry Smith.

Harold is survived by his wife Bertie Smith, daughter Leisha Smith, son Tim Smith (Beth Smith), daughter-in-law Barret Smith. Grandchildren Jennifer Vice, Megan Smith,  Zach Smith (Katie Lane) , Garret Smith, Treavor Smith, and great-granddaughter Satya Thompson.

Honorary Pall Bearers include: Deacon Jones, Tony Sapp, Jake Hartgrove, Moon Cassidy, Buddy Messer, Bill Hardin, John Caudill, Buddy Collins, Terry Terrell, and Dick Fuller.

A private family service will be held Monday December 28 ^th at Machpelah Cemetery under the direction of Taul Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to:

U.K. Markey Cancer Center

https://ukmarkey.org/honor-a-loved-one/

To donate by mail, please send a check payable to the UK Markey Cancer Foundation to 115 Waller Avenue, Suite 204, Lexington, KY 40503

St Claire Hospice

To donate by phone, please call 606.783.6512

The family would like to thank the staff at Markey Cancer Center, Hospice of the Bluegrass, and St. Claire Hospice for their generous support.