Gilbert Douglas (Doug) Smith passed away peacefully on a beautiful sunlit day in Pinehurst, NC, surrounded by family at the age of 81. He was born on July 29, 1942, to the late Shelby Lee Smith and Ruth Ballard Smith in Asheville, NC.
Raised in Swannanoa, NC, Doug developed a strong faith, appreciation for hard work, and a gift for storytelling. His career included broadcasting, cable television, and textiles. Two of the highlights of his broadcasting career were calling the plays for the Boston Red Sox spring training games and receiving a national cable (ABEL) award. Having a heart for service, he was active in his church, the Masons, Shriners, and Stephen Ministries, as well as serving on the Board of Oak Ridge Military Academy, his alma mater.
He was predeceased by his parents and younger brother, Tedd Smith. Family was important in his life, and those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 45 years, Nancy Smith of Pinehurst, and daughters, Stephanie (John) Bleakley, Jennifer Archer, and Melissa (Bonnie) Boles of Georgia. Doug is also survived by five grandchildren, Lauren (Nick) Saye, Logan Bleakley, Thomas Bleakley, Maddie Archer, and Abbie Archer; great granddaughter Mollie Sale; sister-in-law, Gail Smith, and nieces Mary Catherine (Josh) Pisano and Shelly (Jeremy) Cloninger.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 11, at 1 p.m. at The Village Chapel, 10 Azalea Road, Pinehurst, NC. The family will receive friends immediately after the service in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Oak Ridge Academy, 2317 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge, NC 27310.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home.
