In Memory: Barry Smith, Rotary Club Member Committed To Service

Editor’s note: the following obituary was submitted by Sandy Springs Chapel.

---

J. Barry Smith: January 26, 1936 – November 24 2015.

Barry was born in Manchester, England, and married his beloved wife Vivian on Sept. 13, 1958, and they were married for 57 wonderful years filled with love, adventure and happiness. In November 1958 they immigrated to Canada.

Barry soared with the eagles as he rode the thermals in his glider. He explored many exciting places as he flew his Turbo Lance to as far away as Mexico and Alaska and rented a plane in Australia where he climbed Ayers Rock and dove on the Great Barrier Reef.

Barry was an electrical engineer and in Canada he worked for Brook Motors and then was transferred to Chicago Illinois. Later he was employed by Fairbanks Morse as regional manager in Philadelphia. In 1970 he moved back to Chicago to work for Toshiba where he made many friends on his visits to Japan Finally in Chicago he was vice president and general manager for Leroy Somer.

While in Chicago he became a proud citizen of the United States. A great change came in 1976 when he formed his successful business, Power Systems Engineering, which he headed for 39 years. His spiritual journey in the U.S.A. began at St. Giles Episcopal Church in Northbrook, Illinois, where he served on the Vestry.

Upon moving to Atlanta he was senior warden, Sunday school teacher and Lay Eucharistic minister. Presently he is a Deacon at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church where he joined many friends on Mission trips to Mexico and worked at Thornwell Home for Children in South Carolina.

As a youth in England he was a Boy Scout and in Canada as a Scout Leader. In Chicago he served as assistant district commissioner. He earned his wood badge and the family visited Philemon Scout ranch in New Mexico where he took more training in leadership. His greatest passion, after his family, was Rotary International where as a member of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs. He served as president and had perfect attendance for 37 years.

He served as district governor in 1995-96 and the theme for that year was “Act with Integrity, Serve with Love and Work for Peace.” He certainly lived up to those principles. As a representative of Rotary he was co-chairman for promoting literacy throughout the world. He also visited orphans in South Africa and served on a medical mission in Kenya. He was awarded Rotary’s highest honor, the Service above Self medal.

He is survived by his loving wife, Vivian; daughters Jacqueline (Kory), Christine (Allen) and Deborah Rachel (Garrett); 12 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; his sister Jennifer; brother Neville and brother and sister-in-law, David and Brenda.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, 1978 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338.

Donations may be made in Barry’s name to Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collection Center Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60693 or St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church.

---

Image via Rotary Club of Sandy Springs