renford oneal smitherman
Dr. R. Oneal Smitherman (aka
Smitty), professor emeritus at Auburn University's Department of
Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture, lost his battle with ALS (Lou
Gehrigs' disease) at UAB Hospital on April 14, 2011. ALS is a disease
that robs a person of everything other than the love from family and
friends.
Smitty was born in Randolph, AL in Bibb County on August 26, 1937 and lived at Lake Martin in Dadeville since retirement.
He is survived by his wife, Patsy Linton, their daughters, Shelly Parks and her husband Mike, Susan White and her husband Jason, his sister Patty Pruitt, and his brother Marshall.
Smitty was predeceased by his parents, Grover and Gladys Epperson Smitherman.
His loves in life were his family and Auburn University, with a special regard for Auburn University's Arboretum. There he left a legacy of beauty through his much beloved native azaleas. His plantings grace the campus of Auburn University and many private gardens. The Arboretum includes azaleas, collected by Dr. Smitherman, from every county in Alabama where they grow naturally. When you see a native azalea in bloom, let it remind you of a wonderful person who is no longer here to make us sit in awe of his accomplishments. He was referred to recently in a local publication as the "Wild Azalea Man." His most recent endeavor was to lobby for change of the state flower from the exotic Camellia to the native Rhododendron Alabamense.
Dr. Smitherman received numerous awards for his work at Auburn University's Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture Department. He was recognized in the U.S. and internationally for the impact of his research, which was instrumental to the current farming practices of catfish, tilapia, redfish, snapper, salmon, shrimp and other species.
A private memorial service will be held for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Auburn University Davis Arboretum, (334-844-5770) or the Alabama ALS Association (www.ALS Alabama.org).
Smitty was born in Randolph, AL in Bibb County on August 26, 1937 and lived at Lake Martin in Dadeville since retirement.
He is survived by his wife, Patsy Linton, their daughters, Shelly Parks and her husband Mike, Susan White and her husband Jason, his sister Patty Pruitt, and his brother Marshall.
Smitty was predeceased by his parents, Grover and Gladys Epperson Smitherman.
His loves in life were his family and Auburn University, with a special regard for Auburn University's Arboretum. There he left a legacy of beauty through his much beloved native azaleas. His plantings grace the campus of Auburn University and many private gardens. The Arboretum includes azaleas, collected by Dr. Smitherman, from every county in Alabama where they grow naturally. When you see a native azalea in bloom, let it remind you of a wonderful person who is no longer here to make us sit in awe of his accomplishments. He was referred to recently in a local publication as the "Wild Azalea Man." His most recent endeavor was to lobby for change of the state flower from the exotic Camellia to the native Rhododendron Alabamense.
Dr. Smitherman received numerous awards for his work at Auburn University's Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture Department. He was recognized in the U.S. and internationally for the impact of his research, which was instrumental to the current farming practices of catfish, tilapia, redfish, snapper, salmon, shrimp and other species.
A private memorial service will be held for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Auburn University Davis Arboretum, (334-844-5770) or the Alabama ALS Association (www.ALS Alabama.org).