Basil Smith, 57, of Cleveland, TN, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2014 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Smith graduated from Virginia Military Institute and received his doctorate of medicine from Virginia Commonwealth University. He completed his Orthopedic residency at Akron City Hospital in Akron, OH. He then served his country for four years in the Air Force stationed in Alaska and Las Vegas as an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Smith was in private practice from 1993 to 2013. He joined Dr. Rickey Hutcheson at Tennessee Valley Bone and Joint and had found the perfect partner. He was deeply saddened when his career was cut short by the cancer diagnosis. Dr. Smith's greatest joy was being in the operating room and treating patients. Dr. Smith traveled extensively throughout the United States over the course of his life. He especially loved and enjoyed the beauty of the National Parks. He had a love of history, politics and a was a wealth of trivia he shared with those around him.
Dr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents, George and Essie Smith.
He is survived by his companion, Susan Mertz; special friend, Tricia Ototot; brother, Ellett Smith (Fran); nephews, Jason and George; and a niece, Lauren.
A special thank you to the operating room staff at Skyridge Hospital and the staff at Tennessee Valley Bone and Joint for their love and support.
The burial will be private.
Companion Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.