Today we celebrate Buddy Smith, age 93. Buddy founded “Buddy’s Welding Shop” on South Main Street in downtown Gainesville. He worked at the Shop until he retired in 1991. In his retirement, he continued to pursue his hobbies of farming and trading livestock, which included hogs, goats and mules. He also excelled in woodwork, he built mule wagons, boats, and furniture. Buddy was a member of ‘Eastside Garden Club’ where he spent many of his afternoons fishing with friends. Buddy attended Kirby Smith and Gainesville High School. Afterwards he attended welding school where he became a certified welder. Buddy was preceded in death by his wife Gladys A. Massey Smith, his son Ralph T. Smith Jr. Survivors include his daughter, Carolyn Smith Wilson of Windsor, FL, brothers Robert Smith and Chester Smith, sister Jessie Mosley, grandchildren, Randy L. Wilson, Virginia P. Hutchins, Blanche Lester all of Gainesville and Bobbie Jo Cozad of McAlester, Ok; and seven great grandchildren
