ABC’s 1991 President, Johnny Barto Smith, passed away on May 19, 2018 at the age of 78. 

Smith owned and operated Lake Mechanical Contractors of Eustis, Fla., formerly called Lake Plumbing, a company his parents founded in 1954. Under Smith’s leadership, Lake Mechanical completed a number of impressive projects with Walt Disney World such as Blizzard Beach, Animal Kingdom and the Dolphin Resort. Lake Mechanical also created the University of Central Florida Bright House Networks Stadium and the 34-story expansion of the Peabody on International Drive. 

Born in Nacogdoches, Texas, he and his parents, Barto and Thelma Smith, moved to Eustis, Fla., in the late 1940s. Smith graduated from Eustis High School in 1957 and went on to earn a degree from North Carolina State University in 1962. 

Smith was the last living charter member of Bay Street Baptist Church of Eustis, where he served many years as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and choir member. He is survived by his son, Barto Smith Jr., and cousins Delores Block, Glenn Matthews, William Matthews and Cecilia Matthews. A private interment for Smith was held at Greenwood Cemetery in Eustis, where he was buried with his parents and wife of 57 years, Evelyn Hall Smith. A public memorial service will be held at Bay Street Baptist Church in Eustis on May 29 at 6:30 p.m. An online guestbook is available at hardenpauli.com.