Huntsville - Anthony "Tony" Franklin Smith, 71, departed from this earthly life on January 8, 2025. He was born in Huntsville, Alabama on February 10, 1953.

He was a 1971 graduate of S. R. Butler High School and began attending Athens College that same year. He quickly immersed himself into college life joining Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, serving as a manager/trainer for the Athens College Soccer team and later in the same capacity for the baseball and basketball teams. Tony also joined the PE Club, the Riders Club, and was a member of the Athenian Newspaper staff as well as the Columns Yearbook staff.

Tony graduated from Athens College on June 5, 1976, earning a degree in Business Administration. He was awarded the Alumni Spirit award in 1999 and became a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2003. In 2023, he was elected as President of the Alumni Association Board. Tony ran the Alumni Pepsi trailer at the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention for over 20 years.

He joined the Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society. For many years he served as Activity Chair for their annual Gem, Jewelry and Mineral Show including show Publicity. Tony worked many years after graduation for Planning Research Corporation (PRC) and then in 1999 joined the team at ERC (later Astrion). He retired in December of 2023.

Tony is survived by his sister, Deborah Cohran (Larry); nephew, Davin Cohran; first cousins, Faye Hughes Johns; Danny Hughes; Claude W. "Billy" Franklin Jr. (Kathy); Ronald "Ronnie" Smith Franklin (Marty); Dianne Franklin Trimble (Mike); and numerous other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Franklin Smith and Frances Aleene (Camper) Smith; and nephew, Paul Jamison Cohran.

Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The service will follow in the chapel with Dr. Glenn Conner officiating. Interment will follow at Huntsville Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Athens State University Alumni Association, 300 N. Beaty St., Athens, AL 35611, or Huntsville Gem and Mineral Club, c/o Theresa Chivers, 108A Corrine, Madison, AL 35758.

The family extends their deepest gratitude for the love and support received during this difficult time. Tony was so caring, helpful, generous and loyal. He will be dearly missed, but his memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.