Hardy Morgan (Buck) Smith, 71, of Covington ended a courageous six year battle with cancer Aug. 5, 2011. Buck was born Jan. 14, 1940, to Sara (Ethell) and Hester Moore Smith of Birmingham, Ala.

Following his father's Army discharge after World War II, they settled in Decatur. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1958, then Auburn University in 1963 with a B.S. in Aeronautical Administration. He went on to serve in the Air Force for the next 5 years stationed in Germany and Nebraska.

In 1969 he married Kerith Knott and to this union Felicite Anne (Ted) Verren was born. His career as a graphic artist allowed him to live in Florida, Kansas and California before settling permanently on Jackson Lake in 1993. He was a devoted grandfather to Lillian Meriwether and Alexander Cole Verren.

He will be remembered as a lifelong artist and creative writer. His interests included car racing, boating, aviation, fishing, genealogy and computers. He is survived by his daughter and grandchildren as well as numerous cousins and friends.

A memorial to celebrate his life will be held Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Decatur First United Methodist Church in Decatur, with Dr. David S. Naglee officiating.