- Date Of Birth: January 23, 1971
- Date Of Death: December 16, 2020
- State: Kentucky
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
A Time to Be Born
Dwight Howard Smith, Jr. (known as Buddy) was born January 23, 1971 in Mt. Sterling, KY. He was the oldest of two children born to the late Dwight Howard Smith, Sr. and Nellie Coomes Smith.
A Time to Live
Buddy received his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Morehead State University, then relocated to Atlanta, GA where he was a team member at Niketown.
A Time to Love
Soon after moving to Atlanta, Buddy met and married Holly Long on November 12, 1994, and the “Buddy Holly” story was born. The couple made homes in Little Rock, AR, Desoto, KS, and in both Orlando and Bradenton, FL. They were blessed to spend 26 loving years together and raise 4 children, Zachary, Zoe, Zara, and Zander Smith (the Z-Pack) who were the absolute loves of his life. Buddy really loved to golf, but as the kids grew into their respective passions, he set his own desires aside to be “all-in” for them. And his own children were not the only kids who benefitted from Buddy’s commitment – he was an amazing youth football coach and mentor to countless boys all over the state of Florida.
A Time to Die
On Wednesday, December 16th, Buddy went to be with Jesus with his family at his side at Largo Medical Center.
A Time to Remember
Buddy is survived by his wife, Holly L Smith, children Zachary Whitman, Zoe Elizabeth, Zara Kathryn, and Zander Caleb Smith, mother Nellie Smith, sister Sheri Smith, as well as a host of faithful friends.
Z-pack Educational Fund
P.O. Box 20362, Bradenton, Florida 34204
