Tom "Teeter" Cook Smith

Tom “Teeter” Cook Smith

It's with heavy hearts, we share the passing of Tom "Teeter" Smith on February 4, 2025, in Highlands, North Carolina.

Born on January 25, 1938, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to William Ches Smith Jr. and Carolyn Macdonald Smith, Tom moved to Atlanta at the age of two. He attended SM Inman Elementary School and later Henry Grady High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and golf, earning nine varsity letters. It was during this time he met the love of his life, Kay Happoldt. He attended Druid Hills Baptist church during his formative years, and this is where he started his walk with Christ.

After graduating from Grady High School in 1955, Tom attended the University of Georgia, where he developed a lifelong passion for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was an active member of the Chi Phi fraternity and served as Vice President. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business in 1959 and remained a devoted UGA football fan after graduating from Georgia.

Tom married Kay Happoldt on February 6,1960 at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. Their marriage spanned 62 wonderful years, and Tom often shared this was the greatest accomplishment in his life! Tom served in the Air Force Reserves from 1959 to 1968 and began his career with GMAC in Athens, Georgia. He later joined his father-in-law at Highlands Country Club (HCC), where he served as Head Golf Professional and General Manager for 12 years. During his tenure at HCC, he co-founded the Mountain Chapter of the Carolina Section PGA and designed HCC's Iconic Highlander logo still being used today.

In 1980, Tom became the Director of Golf at Horseshoe Bend Country Club (HSB) in Roswell, Georgia, where he worked for 26 years until retiring in 2006. He was instrumental in bringing the American Junior Golf Association headquarters to HSB and hosted numerous prestigious tournaments. Among his many accolades, Tom was honored as the Georgia PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1989, a recognition he cherished.

Upon retirement, Tom and Kay returned to Highlands, where they enjoyed traveling, playing golf, and hosting friends for dinner parties. Tom was actively involved in First Presbyterian Church of Highlands, Highlands Country Club and The Literacy Council. Tom served on the golf committee, finance committee and was an elder in the church. Tom was the man that made everyone he met feel like his best friend. He was a man of principle and those that knew him loved him. He will live on in the lives of all the people whom he has touched.

Tom is survived by his children, Tracey Catharine Smith (Kent Bingham Reed) and Kenneth Happoldt Smith (Sheri Lingle Smith), and four grandchildren: Knox Reed, Stockton Reed, Peyton Smith and Kendall Smith. A reception will be held for Mr. Smith at the First Presbyterian Church of Highlands, NC on Saturday February 15, 2025, from 12-1:30 PM, preceding a funeral service at 2:00 PM with the Rev. Emily Wilmarth officiating. A private graveside service will take place following the service at First Presbyterian Church. Peyton Smith, Knox Reed, Stockton Reed, Scott Smith, Stacy Freeman, Thomas Grafton will serve as Pallbearers. Mr. Smith’s family is also planning a celebration of life for Tom in the spring of 2025 in Highlands, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Literacy Council in Highlands. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him.

Online condolences can be left at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Smith family.