ForeverMissed
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Scott Montgomery Smith, 59, of Jacksonville, FL passed away from complications that arose from his battle with mantle cell lymphoma on Saturday, May 2, 2020 at MD Anderson Cancer Research Center in Houston, TX.

He was born July 20, 1960 in Roanoke, VA, to Stanley Sr. and Bernice Smith.  

He will be deeply missed by his “Lovely Bride” Deborah Lee, his daughters Kristie Altis, her husband Matt and their sons Ryan, Chase, and Dane; Ashley Smith and her son Dashea; Lee Ann Zies and her wife Samantha, and his siblings Susan Dews and her husband Reese; Stanley Smith Jr. and his wife Kathy; Gordon Smith and his wife Kandis; and Alice Nelson and her husband Jeff; as well as numerous cherished nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Scott took pride in every job he held. The longest was a 17-year career at Hershey Chocolate of Stuarts Draft and the most recent was HarborChase senior living community of Jacksonville. Most importantly he loved life. He embraced every moment and brought excitement to every adventure with family and friends. He had a passion for cycling, golfing, fishing, and traveling. His ability to bring happiness was remarkable. Whether it was through his unique sense of humor, ‘horrible’ dad jokes, love of music, or performing karaoke; he always made people laugh. 

Scott will always be remembered for how he smiled with his whole face and loved with his whole heart.

In Lieu of sending flowers, we ask you direct donations to Halo House, to provide a home for others as it did for us; or to The Lymphoma Research Foundation, to further our understanding of cancer.


June 2, 2020
June 2, 2020
We have so many memories of Scott, its hard to choose. Always, he brought a lot of positive energy to any event or situation. Scott lived life to the fullest in a thrilling and energizing way. You could always count on him for any variety of situations. He helped us move, and directed the whole process. He built lab bench shelf space for our workplace. He took our favorite photograph of our two week old baby. One memory is him trying to teach a one year old the chicken dance. Anyone else do the chicken dance with Scott?
May 30, 2020
May 30, 2020
Scott was so genuine, kind and funny, and will be truly missed. The way he spoke about Debbie was so sweet, and sincerely showed his love for her. We always had fun together, and he always made us laugh. Our Sexy Scientists Reunions were more fun with him there!!

It was always fun when Debbie and Scott would come to my house to visit. I appreciated that they’d take the time to stop by when they were in the area. And it was always great to catch up.

I remember one time at Capital Ale House, after dinner we wanted to tape our leftover box shut since it was sticking up. We had asked another waitress for tape, but they had a management meeting so she couldn’t get it. Another waitress walked by and Scott just said “piece of tape” while raising his hand, and sure enough she came back with one piece of tape to save the day. Of course, this triggered uncontrollable laughter!

I’ll cherish those many memories of laughing together during our reunions and visits.  And my thoughts and prayers are with my friend, Debbie, and her family during this time.
May 15, 2020
May 15, 2020
Dedicated husband and friend...
We were lucky enough to spend time with Scott and Debbie during happier times. One of my favorite memories was our wedding. Deb and Scott planned to arrive in FL on the auto train with their car and drive the 3 hours from Orlando to Fort Myers. After multiple delays, and the determination that they would not make it on time, they abandoned the train, leaving their car packed with a week’s worth of food and all of their belongings. They rented a car and raced through Florida, arriving for the last part of our reception. Most husbands would have given up, but Scott arrived in borrowed gym shorts, cheerful, smiling, hugging everyone and ready to celebrate! I know he did this for Deb more than us, and I admired his dedication to her happiness and his adventurous spirit. As my husband, Jimmy Moroney said when hearing of Scott’s death, “he was just such a nice guy...gone too soon.” We will remember his gentle kind way, his hearty laugh and his broad smile. RIP Scott, and love to Deb and all who loved him.
May 12, 2020
May 12, 2020
I loved Scott before I ever met him, because I saw the stars in Debbie’s eyes after she met him. I will never forget the day she came into the lab at Mayo and told me, “I met someone.” It was one of those moments that gives you goosebumps. We were so lucky to have Scott in our lives. He was one of the most loving and lovable people in the whole world. He was the friend who would never let you dance or karaoke alone, he made everything into a super fun time, and it’s so unfair that he’s gone too soon.

Debbie, Ashley, Kristie, Lee Ann and all of your families, please accept our condolences and our virtual hugs until we can be together in person to remember this amazing man who “smiled with his whole face and loved with his whole heart.” Anyone who knew him was so much happier for it and our hearts are broken to know he is gone too soon.


May 11, 2020
May 11, 2020
Sadly I only met Scott once at Lee Ann's baton pass in Las Vegas 2014. I remember that he was a warm and genuine guy, very social and funny but not over the top. He was part of the group that went to Fremont Street and he made the revelry all the more memorable.
May 11, 2020
May 11, 2020
I will remember Scott for the way he listened, asked questions, and made us laugh.

My first clear memory of Scott is biking with him. He asked if he could join my friends and I on one of our frequent semi-serious rides at the local park. He said he was a casual biker but pretty fit. We were stunned by the second long uphill as he raced past us. Then we noticed his oak-tree trunk calves.

Scott was as kind as he was funny- always available to help, and effusively friendly with me and Debbie's other colleagues, her students, and strangers. His love and devotion for Debbie and all of his family was so obvious and heartwarming. We will certainly miss him.
May 11, 2020
May 11, 2020
I first met Scott when I went to see Lee Ann perform with her high school symphony. I drove a rental car from the Richmond airport to Fredericksburg. I somehow managed to dent the back bumper of that car. Scott looked at it and before you knew it, it was as good as new! That was my introduction to my grand daughter's stepdad. A happy, helpful, kind individual who nurtured Lee Ann through her teenage years and made Debbie happy. I'm sorry he could not win this fight. He will be missed. 
May 11, 2020
May 11, 2020
When my dearest friend Debbie first introduced us to Scott, it felt immediately easy. Scott had this way of making everyone feel at ease with this huge smile and quick laugh. He knew how to ‘be in the moment’ and gave you his complete attention when talking to you. His curiosity about the world, willingness to try new things and optimistic view of life was infective and we all have some amazing memories because of that.

The first time Scott met my girls he brought the a HUGE Hersey’s Kiss each, which they will never forget! Scott also drove with Debbie and Dashea all the way up to Canada to come visit us and we had such fun sightseeing. But my most fond memory was watching Scott meet my mother for the first time. He immediately crouched down next her wheelchair, started a talking to her and making her laugh. We will all miss him dearly. ❤️
May 9, 2020
May 9, 2020
Uncle Scott was always “The Man He Didn’t Have To Be”.   There will never be another like him. But the next best version of him is his daughter Ashley. I hope she always remembers she has the same gifted character that he had. They will always be connected by that gift. And Uncle Scott will live on thru that gift. Before he left Hershey to start his family with Debbi. I told him what he meant to me thru the years. We both shed a tear in that moment, cause it was only then that I had ever expressed my love and appreciation for him for who he was toward me. Debbi and Lee Ann were lucky to have found Scott and Scott was lucky to have found them. There are not enough words to describe just how great he is. 
May 9, 2020
May 9, 2020
Scott was a fantastic role model especially when it came to sports. We would play racquetball at American Family Fitness after school and he would always play a fair game. He taught me how to serve and aim and improve my game and never trash-talked, but also never let me win. I remember the genuine grin he’d give me when I earned an impressive point and how he’d try crazy trick shots to make me laugh if I was behind and getting frustrated. I will forever miss my willing playmate and cheerleader.

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Recent Tributes
June 2, 2020
June 2, 2020
We have so many memories of Scott, its hard to choose. Always, he brought a lot of positive energy to any event or situation. Scott lived life to the fullest in a thrilling and energizing way. You could always count on him for any variety of situations. He helped us move, and directed the whole process. He built lab bench shelf space for our workplace. He took our favorite photograph of our two week old baby. One memory is him trying to teach a one year old the chicken dance. Anyone else do the chicken dance with Scott?
May 30, 2020
May 30, 2020
Scott was so genuine, kind and funny, and will be truly missed. The way he spoke about Debbie was so sweet, and sincerely showed his love for her. We always had fun together, and he always made us laugh. Our Sexy Scientists Reunions were more fun with him there!!

It was always fun when Debbie and Scott would come to my house to visit. I appreciated that they’d take the time to stop by when they were in the area. And it was always great to catch up.

I remember one time at Capital Ale House, after dinner we wanted to tape our leftover box shut since it was sticking up. We had asked another waitress for tape, but they had a management meeting so she couldn’t get it. Another waitress walked by and Scott just said “piece of tape” while raising his hand, and sure enough she came back with one piece of tape to save the day. Of course, this triggered uncontrollable laughter!

I’ll cherish those many memories of laughing together during our reunions and visits.  And my thoughts and prayers are with my friend, Debbie, and her family during this time.
May 15, 2020
May 15, 2020
Dedicated husband and friend...
We were lucky enough to spend time with Scott and Debbie during happier times. One of my favorite memories was our wedding. Deb and Scott planned to arrive in FL on the auto train with their car and drive the 3 hours from Orlando to Fort Myers. After multiple delays, and the determination that they would not make it on time, they abandoned the train, leaving their car packed with a week’s worth of food and all of their belongings. They rented a car and raced through Florida, arriving for the last part of our reception. Most husbands would have given up, but Scott arrived in borrowed gym shorts, cheerful, smiling, hugging everyone and ready to celebrate! I know he did this for Deb more than us, and I admired his dedication to her happiness and his adventurous spirit. As my husband, Jimmy Moroney said when hearing of Scott’s death, “he was just such a nice guy...gone too soon.” We will remember his gentle kind way, his hearty laugh and his broad smile. RIP Scott, and love to Deb and all who loved him.
Recent stories

Baby Face

May 12, 2020
Scott was many things to many people, but these pictures focus on him being a son and a brother.    I chose "Baby Face"  as the background music for two reasons. First you can see that he hasn't changed much.  Those who only knew him as an adult will easily recognize the smiling eyes and wide grin on the face of the baby, toddler, child and teen Scott.  The other reason I chose that melody  is that one year he took a tap dance class at the same studio where I took a ballet class.  For the recital,  his group danced to the ragtime song, "Baby Face."  As the only male in the class, he became the central focus of the number.    He was "Baby Face."    For other 15 year old boys, peer pressure may have stopped them from giving tap dance a go post-puberty, but he seemed impervious to it.   I always admired how he'd just do whatever it was that he set his mind to, and then he'd give it his all.

 In fairness, there were a lot of attractive girls in that class, so my five year old mind may not have fully perceived his actual motivation for taking tap dance.  A story my mother enjoyed sharing  did peg Scott as the neighborhood Casanova (PG version) of sorts.    He’d been the baby of the family for nearly ten years when I arrived.  He could have been sore about it, but Mom said he didn’t appear to be, because he’d put me in a backpack carrier and walk around the neighborhood with me.  Mom thought it was a sweet thing for him to do, but she soon learned his motivation when he returned home one day and declared that a baby is better than a puppy for attracting girls!  He was so well liked in the neighborhood, that I doubt I helped him uncover any admirers he didn’t already have, but I do know that the girl in the backpack adored him then and now.
May 11, 2020
Based on the short time I was able to know Scott I would describe him as a man who filled the room with laughter and love, and never turned down a good karaoke ballad. This is one of my favorite pictures from the family cruise in 2018. We had a lot to celebrate that summer, and many fun memories. One that I wanted to share was the dress-up portrait night that Scott bought me my first martini, because “you always have to have a go-to drink” when someone offers. As a tequila lover, I didn’t know that I was walking right into a drink that is straight vodka poured into a glass! I can’t promise I’ll ever order one again, but if it’s offered in the future I’ll ask for like 7 olives and drink it for you.

Brother in law.

May 9, 2020
Scott Smith will always be my Brother. From years ago " when He was married to his 1st wife - Dorothy, my Sister." I was So very happy they found each other. Way Back when he worked with her, & He even had a second job " Giggle Grams" And man did he show them a thing or two.  He was the man! But I was So glad they found each other then, because more than ever she Really needed a PRINCE at that time.. AND boy did he Master that!!! GREAT MAN. GREAT HUSBAND. GREAT FATHER AND SO MUCH MORE.. I Don't think he wasted a minute of his Life❤❤God Bless & Heaven needed a Great Man/Angel

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