Franklin O. Smith, Jr.

Augusta, GA – Mr. Franklin O. Smith, Jr. (F.O.) entered into rest on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. 

Mr. Smith was born on May 10, 1947, in Augusta, GA. Growing up in Augusta he attended Richmond Academy where he was a captain in the ROTC. After high school he attended Augusta College. He was a Specialist E-4 in the 319th Transportation unit of the Army Reserves. In 1968, his unit was activated for duty in Vietnam. When he returned from Vietnam, he worked as an insurance adjuster for F.O. Smith & Company. In 1982, he joined E-Z-GO Textron‘s golf car sales force . He remained with E-Z-GO for 17 years and headed up their utility vehicle division. Later he became an insurance agent with Allstate Insurance Company. In 2002, F.O. opened a successful, independent insurance agency, Peach State Insurance. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a member of various hunting clubs over the years, including Badham-Harper in SC, Green Acres hunting club in GA, Ogeechee River Rod and Gun Association in Ga, and Circle M in GA. 

He was preceded in death by his parents F.O. Smith, Sr. and Dorothy Rathbone Smith and his sister Teresa Smith Lord. Survivors include one daughter Chandler Smith Rogers and her husband Jeff; four grandchildren, Taylor, Jackson, Vivi Kate and Liam, all of Evans, GA; brother Michael D. Smith and sister Barbara S. Premseler. 

The family will receive friends Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. followed by a memorial service beginning at 4:00 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Pastor Robbie Hendrick officiating. The service live stream may be viewed at: Live Stream Link

Memorials can be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 and Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com